NWMS Newsletter Volume 8: Issue 1- February 2025

NWMS supported Washington State HB1531.

This bill adds a section to RCW stating that public health responses to address communicable diseases must be guided by the best available scientific evidence. It ensures that public health officials will be guided by scientifically proven strategies as they work protect the health and safety of the public. 

The bill had broad support among the public health community and WSALPHO.

LOCAL AVOCATES TESTIFY

Hilary Walker, Geriatric Occupational Therapist, PeaceHealth Advance Care Planning & Sharmon Figenshaw, Co-Chair for the Washington POLST, National POLST Technology Committee will both testify for:

House Bill 1724, which seeks to improve access to Physicians Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) forms by establishing a registry and the use of alternative evidence. 

RAISE YOUR VOICE

Links to send your message to

Washington State Representatives and Senators:

WSMA priority legislation establishing the Medicaid Access Program are slated to receive public hearings in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the first step in the legislative process. These critical bills leverage federal funds to promote access to care for Medicaid enrollees by increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates. (Click Buttons to Send your Opinion)

Links to send your message to

United States Senators:

The US Senate is scheduled to vote on Robert F.Kenney, Jr., this week. You can send your opinions to Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Medicaid Access Program: Partner Action Plan

Ways your Clinic & Group Can Help:

• Share your group’s support with your local legislative delegation 
• Share your group’s support with your local media, via op-eds, letters to the editor, tips to reporters 
• Share your group’s support with your staff, members, and patients. 

• takeaction.wsma.org - Campaign website
• takeaction.wsma.org/share-your-story – Legislator call to action
• Medicaid Access Program: Fact Sheet
• Access to Care for Medicaid Patients: Fact Sheet
• Supporting data
• Patient survey data on Medicaid access to primary and specialty care
• Recent media coverage of low Medicaid reimbursement and impacts on access to care 

Click Image to Download Document

Your Voice, Your Choice

Advance Care Planning Workshop

Join us for a free interactive workshop on completing an Advance Directive.

Our workshop leader will guide you through the simple, but thought-provoking process of choosing a healthcare agent or trusted decision maker. You’ll come away from the session with a plan that puts your wishes in writing.

Your completed advance directive lets your healthcare providers and others know the kind of care you’d want if you’re ever unable to speak for yourself. 

Printables for Your Clinic: If you need source files, email nwms@hinet.org

CME Opportunities

 Inflammatory Brain Disorders Conference on May 15-16, 2025, via webcast. The focus is on both pediatric and adult patients. CME credit is available to all live attendees. 

This conference is chaired by Professor Larry Steinman (Stanford) and Professor Sam Pleasure (UCSF) and features many of the top neuroimmunology experts in the world from Harvard, Yale, NIH, Stanford, UCLA, Emory, and more. 

This virtual conference is being offered free of charge to 500 physicians.

Neuroimmune Foundation has earned Guidestar's Platinum Seal of Transparency, an honor held by fewer than 1% of nonprofits, for the past six years. Neuroimmune Foundation is also the only PANS-focused nonprofit to receive Charity Navigator's highest rating, 4/4 stars with a 99% rating.