News

As expected, the Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) has submitted legislation (HB 1117) to protect patients from receiving balanced bills. The legislation is aimed at protecting patients who use an in-network hospital but then receive an additional "balance" bill from an out-of-network provider for care during the stay. This typically arises when a health plan has failed to reach a network contract agreement with some of the providers practicing at the facility, such as ER, anesthesiology, pathology, and radiology groups.... Read More >>

During this year’s budget-writing legislative session, WSHA will be focused on preserving access to care for the more than 700,000 people who received coverage, as well as ensuring that safety net health care programs are meeting the needs of our communities. Continuing the work of the last several years, WSHA will be actively supporting legislation to improve the state’s mental health system.... Read More >>

If you missed WSHA's legislative session kickoff webcast, it's not too late! You can watch the recording here for an in-depth discussion of how a repeal of the Affordable Care Act will affect our state, what WSHA is doing about it and what's on tap for the next six months in Olympia. ... Read More >>

Gov. Jay Inslee and the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) announced January 9 a final contract that ensures the state can continue transforming health care to achieve better population health, reward high-quality care and curb health care costs.... Read More >>

For the last year, the state Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has been working to revise its administrative policy on rest breaks for all non-exempt employees. WSHA, as well as the business community at large, opposes the latest draft policy that essentially eliminates the ability to interrupt a rest break. The draft policy also introduces new confusing obligations for an employer to provide rest breaks. ... Read More >>

Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell spoke on the Senate floor January 9, urging protection of the expanded health care coverage provided by the Affordable Care Act. She also called for a replacement to the law to coincide with a repeal.... Read More >>

Last month, the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) issued a proposed rule on prior authorizations.  The OIC action follows WSHA and the Washington State Medical Association requests for... Read More >>

WSHA is expecting this to be a very challenging legislative session given the state’s budget situation and K-12 education obligations.... Read More >>

The Washington Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) recently issued a new draft of what we anticipate will become a bill to restrict balance billing.... Read More >>

Next Tuesday at noon we will host our annual legislative kickoff webcast. This is a great opportunity to close the office door, have a sandwich and get your questions about the session answered. Not all questions — we don’t have a crystal ball — but we will talk about the political dynamics, our top priorities and how WSHA members can help tell the story.... Read More >>