News

This bulletin is intended to inform hospital Finance and Quality leaders about the Washington State Hospital Association’s (WSHA’s) resources available around the new proposal from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on bundled payment for hip and knee replacements, known as Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CCJR). The resources include data, a web conference, and staff to help answer questions.... Read More >>

We plan for major life events such as college, marriage, and having children - yet when it comes to planning the last chapters of our life, people often do not discuss what kind of health care they want during this significant time. The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) and Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) are working towards the vision that: Everyone in Washington will receive care that honors personal values in the last chapters of life.... Read More >>

Consumer Reports released new hospital ratings this week, focusing on infection rates. This created the usual flurry of media interest. While rating categories based on averages don’t reflect improvements over... Read More >>

The purpose of this bulletin is to provide you with information about a new law, Senate Bill 5269, known as Joel’s Law, that allows family members and legal guardians to petition the court to review an involuntary detention decision under the Involuntary Treatment Act. The Washington State Hospital Association would like to thank Eric Neiman, Attorney, Portland Managing Partner of Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith for contributing to this bulletin.... Read More >>

This bulletin is intended to inform you of opportunities to provide public comment on the state’s work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to seek a global waiver for the transformation of Medicaid. The state is seeking $3 billion in federal funds to support transformation. The state plans to submit its application to CMS in September 2015. WSHA and AWPHD want your comments and feedback on our draft letter to the state.... Read More >>

Hospitals have always been community-based organizations. They are governed and advised by boards of local residents, and they employ dozens and sometimes hundreds of people who are committed to caring and healing... Read More >>

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently clarified rural status, location and distance requirements for critical access hospitals (CAHs). Importantly, the recently released memo (S&C 15-45-CAH) clarifies existing... Read More >>

Patient safety and quality are primary fiduciary responsibilities for governing boards. WSHA and AWPHD jointly began a series of “Fundamentals” webcasts for members of hospital and health system boards and commissions on a variety of topics. The first in the series took place on Monday, July 20 on the topic: “Fundamentals of Patient Safety."... Read More >>

The Washington Health Care Authority (HCA) is now accepting applications for Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) payments for 2016. The deadline for applications is August 1 for the Low Income and Small... Read More >>

So now that the legislature has adjourned, how was it? It was certainly the longest session ever– that’s a quantifiable truth. There were some incredibly tense weeks in June for lawmakers,... Read More >>