News

Last week, thanks to the leadership of the Washington State Legislature, the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) announced the expansion of an innovative STEM and health care scholarship program to include short-term certificates and other professional technical degrees offered at the state’s community and technical colleges.... Read More >>

Effective April 1, Washington’s Involuntary Treatment Act (ITA) will require hospitals to meet new requirements when presented with patients who pose a danger to self or others due to a substance use disorder. This new law, also known as “Ricky’s Law,” significantly expands ITA laws for adults and minors to now include substance use disorders.... Read More >>

Starting June 29, the Washington All Payer Claims Database will provide information to the public on quality and cost of care at Washington providers. Using claims data from insurers, Washington HealthCareCompare will show allowable amounts for more than 80 common procedures at hospitals and ambulatory surgical facilities, and display quality rankings for local primary care practices.... Read More >>

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange announced that more than 209,000 customers used Washington Healthplanfinder to purchase a Qualified Health Plan (QHP) for 2018 coverage during the most recent open enrollment period.... Read More >>

The 2018 legislative session is officially a wrap, and we are pleased to report that it was another positive session for Washington hospitals, with increased funding for behavioral health and no proposed reimbursement cuts.... Read More >>

The 2018 legislative session is officially a wrap. Below you will find a final roundup of bills from session we opposed and that died and ones we supported and that passed.... Read More >>

The All-Payer Claims Database (APCD) recently sent out an email to hospitals regarding the review and reconsideration process for APCD data. The review and reconciliation process is scheduled to start on March 30, following delay due to security and credentialing measures.... Read More >>

The WSHA Government Affairs and Policy Development staff gave an overview of the 2018 legislative session... Read More >>

Lawmakers have released their compromise 2018 state supplemental budget. The budget is positive for hospitals, with increased funding for behavioral health and no proposed reimbursement cuts. WSHA has analyzed the budget. ... Read More >>

On February 8, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) issued a new emergency rule modifying the regulatory requirements for a single-bed certification. ... Read More >>