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 K-12 education. As a signal of its frustration, the Supreme Court imposed $100,000 a day in fines, which would go into a dedicated education account.
While that amount sounds substantial, in the context of a $38 billion overall state budget, it is relatively small. And as a side note: Whether and how the government pays a fine to itself, without the legislature acting to appropriate the funds, is an interesting legal ques
tion.
The big issue for legislators is where to find the billions of tax dollars the court appears to be demanding. Issues including class size, teacher salaries, local levies, and collective bargaining are all in the mix. Whether the state should increase taxes, and on whom, is an overriding issue.
Without calling the entire legislature back into session, Governor Inslee has asked legislative leaders to work with him to devise a plan that would be acceptable to both parties. He proposes to then convene a special legislative session for the vote. Considering the legislature just concluded its longest session in history without fully addressing the court mandate, that is a tall order.
Cassie Sauer
WSHA Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Government Affairs
cassies@wsha.org
Attention WSHA Members and Friends: Returned Mail?
We have recently discovered that not all of our mail was being forwarded from our old offices.
If you recently responded to an event invitation and your RSVP card was returned to you, please email Wendy Ray at wendyr@wsha.org.
We very much are looking forward to seeing you in our new office! Our new (physical and mailing) address is:
999 Third Avenue, Suite 1400
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 281-7211 (same phone number)
Visit this page for more about our recent move. (Wendy Ray)
PeaceHealth St. John helps mentor young riders at bike rodeo
PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview recently teamed up with the Longview Police Department to hold a bike rodeo, teaching more than 50 local children the essentials of bike safety. The hospital’s trauma department provided free bike helmets and fittings, and offered bike safety checks. Teen volunteers set up obstacle courses for the younger riders and taught them how to use hand signals to ride safely while on roadways.The course even included a newspaper-tossing challenge, preparing those who have newspaper routes to do their jobs safely. A certificate and a goodie bag (with more safety information) closed out the day.
Hospitals don’t just treat patients; they also work to keep the community safe and help people ward off injuries or illnesses before they happen. Thanks to this great program, many Longview children are safer, and are also better informed to be an example for their peers. (Tim Pfarr)
Hospitals don’t just treat patients; they also work to keep the community safe and help people ward off injuries or illnesses before they happen. Thanks to this great program, many Longview children are safer, and are also better informed to be an example for their peers. (Tim Pfarr)
Across the state, hospitals and health systems are doing amazing work to care for their patients and communities in innovative ways. Our goal is to feature all of our 100 members at least once through the course of the year. If you are a WSHA member with a story to tell, please contact Mary Kay Clunies-Ross.
Fires in Chelan
Like the rest of the state, we at WSHA have been watching the progress of the enormous Chelan complex fire and talking regularly with our friends in the area. With much of the town evacuated, Lake Chelan Community Hospital is present and open, with power and internet services restored after an initial loss. Although there are some reports that the wind is slowing, this is still a deadly serious fire. With about 100 square miles burning, Chelan and other communities are a long way from feeling safe.
The hospital and the clinic are both still open. You can check the website for details. You can also follow Chelan County Emergency Management for the latest news. The Wenatchee World also has current news (key updates here).
We have so much gratitude for the physicians, nurses and staff of the hospital and clinic for their bravery and commitment to their community. They inspire us every day. Our thoughts are with you and your many neighbors who are affected by this fire. (Mary Kay)
PeaceHealth welcomes new CEO
Liz Dunne will take over as president and CEO of PeaceHealth Nov. 1. She is currently a community CEO for Providence Health & Systems South Bay region in Calif.; she will take over for Alan Yordy, who retired in June after 25 years with PeaceHealth.
She has a master’s degree in business and computer resource management from Webster University in St. Louis, and is a registered dietitian. Liz served 10 years on active duty and 10 years in the U.S. Air Force reserves before retiring as a Lt. Colonel.
We are looking forward to welcoming her to Washington! Read the full announcement here. (Mary Kay)
2015 Legislative Summary is now available
Our annual summary is 28 pages of analysis about how health care fared during the 2015 legislative session. It also details WSHA’s priority issues for the state budget and gives a rundown on all of WSHA and AWPHD’s priority bills. Finally, it includes insight from our policy and advocacy leaders about the work WSHA will be doing before the 2016 session starts.
The print version will start being delivered to members in the next week or two, but you don’t have to wait! (Mary Kay)
Proposed pharmacy compounding rules – your input is needed
The Pharmacy Commission released its second draft rule for sterile compounding Aug. 11. The draft rule aims to provide minimum standards for all licensed facilities that compound sterile drugs. Hospitals and health systems can comment on the draft rule here through Sept. 30.
WSHA had a number of concerns with the initial draft and worked closely with the State Pharmacy Association to submit joint comments to the Pharmacy Commission in February. Though further review is needed, WSHA is concerned with the nature and direction of the second draft. We will convene our members to address these concerns and provide comments.
For more information, contact Ian Corbridge to become more involved in this or other pharmacy issues. (Ian Corbridge)
Time to dig deep on key issues at WSHA annual meeting
Some of the most pressing challenges facing WSHA members will be addressed in four “Strategy Sessions” to be presented during WSHA’s Annual Meeting, October 7-8, including:
- Implementing Population Health: From Vision to Reality
- Making it Work: Integrating Mental Health
- Stepping Up Services to Our Multicultural Communities
- Building on Success: Getting Ready for the 2016 State Legislative Session
Learn more and register now for the Annual Meeting as well as for WSHA’s Governance Skills Building Intensive for Trustees and Commissioners on Tuesday, October 6.
Note – hotel rooms are filling fast! Book your lodging now at The Edgewater Hotel, 1800-624-0670, hotel direct 206-728-7000; or Seattle Marriott Waterfront 206-443-5000. Ask for the Washington State Hospital Association room block.
For questions, contact Cynthia Hay, cynthiah@wsha.org or 206-216-2526
Sign of big changes coming: RFP out for integrated Medicaid contract
Last week, the Health Care Authority released a request for proposal (RFP) for the integrated Medicaid contract for Clark and Skamania Counties (see it here). At this time, the southwest region is the only regional service area pursing the early adopter approach. Effective April 1, 2016, the new contract includes all mental health, substance abuse, and physical health benefits for Medicaid plans. The functions historically managed by the Regional Support Network will cease for Medicaid clients on March 31.
This contract will serve as a model for the rest of the state; the plan is to have integrated contracting by 2020.
Plans that bid on the contract will be scored on management and coordination of services, as well as their provider network. The RFP also identifies “essential behavioral health providers” that plans must demonstrate capacity through including community mental health agencies, hospital and non-hospital evaluation and treatment facilities to serve involuntary detained patients, substance abuse providers, and residential providers for post-acute care. Announcement of successful bidders will be in mid-November. (Chelene Whiteaker)
Sign of big changes coming: RFP out for integrated Medicaid contract
Last week, the Health Care Authority released a request for proposal (RFP) for the integrated Medicaid contract for Clark and Skamania Counties (see it here). At this time, the southwest region is the only regional service area pursing the early adopter approach. Effective April 1, 2016, the new contract includes all mental health, substance abuse, and physical health benefits for Medicaid plans. The functions historically managed by the Regional Support Network will cease for Medicaid clients on March 31.
This contract will serve as a model for the rest of the state; the plan is to have integrated contracting by 2020.
Plans that bid on the contract will be scored on management and coordination of services, as well as their provider network. The RFP also identifies “essential behavioral health providers” that plans must demonstrate capacity through including community mental health agencies, hospital and non-hospital evaluation and treatment facilities to serve involuntary detained patients, substance abuse providers, and residential providers for post-acute care. Announcement of successful bidders will be in mid-November. (Chelene Whiteaker)
DOH alert to hospitals: network downtime
The state Department of Health’s licensing system, ILRS, will be down over the coming weekend from 8 a.m. on August 22 through 5 p.m. on August 23. This is necessary to conduct system maintenance and testing for updates to the system.
The Provider Credential Search and Facility Search services will be down intermittently and several other services, including the eLicense intranet, will be down throughout the weekend. If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Customer Service, Washington State DOH, Health Systems Quality Assurance via hsqa.csc@doh.wa.gov. (Mary Kay)
Besler Consulting: helping members manage changing payment models
Washington Hospital Services Industry Partner Besler Consulting, provides revenue consulting that helps health care organizations navigate changing payment models. Their recent blog posts on dedicated observation units and bundled payments give a taste of their expertise.
For more information on Besler and the services they offer through the Industry Partner program, please contact Paul Unsworth via paulu@wsha.org or (206) 577-1806.
