News

SB 5593 threatens patient safety by creating hospital-like facilities without any of the safety requirements the Washington State Legislature and other governmental and accrediting bodies have put in place for hospitals. The bill proposes to allow ambulatory surgical facilities to add “postsurgical care centers” to care for patients who require up to 72 hours of post-treatment care. There is an array of state or federal mandates for inpatients in community hospital settings to ensure the safety of any patient requiring care for a period of longer than 23 hours.... Read More >>

HB 1811 would create a significant burden for health care providers — not just for mergers and purchases, but for almost any kind of “material change,” including such things as contracted services. Despite the laws currently in place, this bill would institute a new process that would require complicated documentation and review.... Read More >>

HB 1967 would place restrictions on the use of noncompete agreements, instead favoring increased use of alternatives, such as nonsolicitation and nondisclosure agreements. While the legislation is predominately directed to the tech industry, these alternatives would not protect the investments hospitals and health systems make when they recruit physicians.... Read More >>

A list of bills WSHA is testifying on for the week of February 13-17, 2017.... Read More >>

We are very thankful for everyone who comes to Olympia to testify! Your testimony is essential for helping legislators and the public to understand the real impact of proposed legislation.... Read More >>

hile the future of the Affordable Care Act is in doubt, our local health insurance marketplace — Washington Healthplanfinder — has become more popular than ever. This year, more than 225,000 Washingtonians purchased a plan on the marketplace, marking a 13 percent increase from the year before. Kudos to the leadership of Washington Healthplanfinder for their outstanding work in helping people get the coverage and care they need!... Read More >>

State law requires all hospitals provide charity care to help families that struggle with large hospital bills as a result of significant injuries and illnesses. In the past, each hospital developed its own, slightly different process to inform patients and determine if a patient qualified. The variation in notice and forms made it harder for patients to know about and receive financial assistance.... Read More >>

In comments submitted February 2, WSHA asked for additional information on the state’s plans to create new reports from its all payer claims database. The contractor for the database has proposed creation of six reports for the upcoming year. The reports include a facility-based price and quality comparison on “shoppable” inpatient and outpatient procedures, such as vaginal delivery and knee arthroscopy. WSHA expressed its support for the database but asked for additional information on factors used to ensure fair comparisons.... Read More >>

WSHA staff will be heading to Washington, D.C., for the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Meeting May 7-10, and you’re invited to join us! The Senate will be in town (though the House will not), and we will also use the trip to schedule meetings with congressional staff members as well as senators, if possible.... Read More >>

In a February 2 letter to the Health Care Authority, WSHA thanked the agency for its work on a proposed project toolkit. WSHA expressed its appreciation that the toolkit defines and narrows the focus of projects for the nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACH). Each of the ACHs will be asked to submit specific proposals using the toolkit in the near future. These proposals will be funded using the additional $1.2 billion in federal funds approved under the state’s waiver.... Read More >>