Hospitals Pursue Legislation to Protect Patients from Influenza
Learn more about this bill to increase health worker vaccination rates by reading WSHA's press release.
NEW! Policy and Advocacy
The 2010 Legislature is in session. Learn what the big issues are and how you can help using WSHA's 2010 Policy/Advocacy documents.
See WSHA's testimony on state budget cuts.
Helping Haiti
All our hearts go out to the people of Haiti in this tragic time.
WSHA is partnering with the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems to raise $100,000 for Medical Teams International. Medical Teams International is sending teams of volunteer clinicians from Washington and Oregon to provide much-needed help in Haiti. We urge hospitals and individuals to donate generously.
Read memo from WSHA, OAHHS, and MTI
See list of needed pharmaceuticals to donate
Oregon Hospital Association CEO Andy Davidson is in Haiti, acting as administrator of the hospital WSHA members are supporting. Read his blog.
Read guidance from DOH for precautions volunteers should take before going
Hospital Safety Net Assessment:
WSHA's proposal for a hospital safety net assessment is moving through the legislature!
See a summary of the legislation
Go to the legislature's web page on HB 2956, which will lead you to the latest draft of the legislation and other supporting documents
See the one-page issue brief describing the safety net assessment
See the total financial impact on hospitals
Governor's Budget Cuts Health Care, Plans for Revenue
The Governor is proposing major cuts to the health care safety net, but plans to fix the health care cuts with new revenues.
Governor's policy brief on the hospital safety net assessment
View a hospital-specific spreadsheet of the 2009-2011 biennial budget cuts
CEO & Trustee Patient Safety Summit: Registration Open
Reserve your seat at the 2010 CEO & Trustee Patient Safety Summit. Plan to attend one of two repeat sessions on April 13 or 14. Learn more and register today. Or review the Summit's complete agenda by downloading the program brochure.
H1N1 (Swine) Flu Information
WSHA is working closely with the Department of Health to prepare for flu season and particularly the H1N1 flu. For the latest information on H1N1 in Washington, please visit DOH's newly expanded H1N1 webpage.
King County hospitals have developed a model hospital visitation policy during H1N1, and talking points about the policy.
Federal Health Reform
Discussion of significant health reform at the federal level is heating up, and WSHA is involved! Read the latest developments here.
Federal Stimulus
The federal stimulus package will bring over $2 billion in new Medicaid money to the state.
Summary of Health Provisions in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (PDF)
Read newspaper editorials supporting saving health care money for health care services.
Death with Dignity
Initiative 1000 became law on March 5, 2009.
Find WSHA's education/implementation materials.
Transparency
Find hospital-specific pricing and quality information.
Financial Assistance
Read about how to get help with your hospital bill.
