From your legislative committee Update January 2012
Children’s Alliance and The Health Care Coalition for Children and Youth are closely following the following 2 bills, one in the Senate, (SB6178) and one in the House (HB 2319), regarding the development of a Health Insurance Exchange in WA state. These bills contain crucial regulation in relation to market participation. There is strong opposition from the biggest plans and brokers in Washington. In case you haven’t had the opportunity to follow the issue closely, Click the following for summary of information: 201201 Legislative update.pdf
From your legislative committee Fall 2011:
State law, RCW 70.225, authorized the Washington State Department of Health to establish the Washington State Prescription Monitoring Program (WA PMP). Pharmacies and practitioners that dispense Schedules II, III, IV, and V controlled substances in Washington State, or to an address in the state, must electronically report to the WA PMP starting October 7, 2011. Clixk on titile for more information: Dispenser_Factsheet.pdf
From the Govenor’s Office:
Among the particular grants covered by this press release is one for nurse-managed health clinics. The formal announcement, available at www.grants.gov under funding number HRSA-10-282, provides:
“The purpose of this initiative will be to provide federal funding to support the development and operation of Nurse-Managed Health Clinics (NMHC) to: 1) improve access to primary health care, disease prevention and health promotion in medically underserved areas (including enhancements of outreach strategies); 2) enhance nursing practice by increasing the number of structured clinical teaching sites for undergraduate and graduate nursing students; and 3) enhance electronic processes for establishing effective patient and workforce data collection systems. Under this program, the focus would support the training and practice development site for nurse practitioners to build the capacity of primary care provider workforce.”
“Eligible applicants must be nurse-practice arrangements managed by advanced practice nurses, which provide primary care or wellness services to underserved or vulnerable populations, and have an association with a school, college, university, or department of nursing, federally qualified health center, or independent nonprofit health or social services agency.”
If you have any questions please contact Jonathan Seib at
jonathan.seib@gov.wa.gov