A recent state law change has strengthened consumer data breach notification requirements. Under the new law, notice to consumers of a data breach must include specific information and be provided... Read More >>
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, is urging the federal Health and Human Services Administration (HHS) to use Washington State’s high-performing health care delivery... Read More >>
The purpose of this bulletin is to provide an overview of recent changes to Washington State’s data breach notification law relevant to Washington State hospitals and health systems. The Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) worked closely with the state Attorney General’s Office to develop important exceptions in the new law for entities covered under federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) when they are acting in compliance with the federal Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH).... Read More >>
Special Fiscal Watch Because of an error in the calculation of the assessment amounts, the Health Care Authority is reissuing the assessment invoices for the first quarter of State... Read More >>
After discussions with WSHA, the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) recently announced it will revise its policy on administrative days and return to the longstanding policy it used previously.... Read More >>
The purpose of the bulletin is to inform hospitals about the new federal law Public Law 114-42, The NOTICE Act (H.R.876), that requires hospitals to provide oral and written notification to Medicare patients placed into observation status for longer than 24 hours. Also to let hospitals know of WSHA's plans to provide opportunities for WSHA-member hospitals to share and communicate best practices and prepare for the new law.... Read More >>
State legislature back at work? Last week, the Washington State Supreme Court announced that the Washington State Legislature is out of compliance with its McCleary decision on adequate funding for... Read More >>
On Monday, April 20, WSHA testified at the House Appropriations Committee about the Senate version of the Hospital Safety Net Assessment bill, SSB 6045. We very much appreciate the expert... Read More >>
