King County awards $500,000 in funding for the Recovery Café’s SODO location
Matt Beuschlein | Jul 2, 2021 | Washington
King County lifts mask mandate
Matt Beuschlein | Jun 29, 2021 | Washington
DOC announces contract with national corrections health care expert
Emily Boerger | Jun 29, 2021 | Washington
OIC to begin rulemaking for audio-only telemedicine services
Emily Boerger | Jun 24, 2021 | Washington
The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) on Wednesday released a notice of rulemaking to implement ESHB 1196, a bill passed this year requiring health plans to reimburse for audio-only telemedicine services. Beginning January 1, 2023, the audio-only reimbursement requirement applies to patients who already have an established
5 Things Washington: Hospital finances, Behavioral health workforce, Deferred care
Emily Boerger | Jun 23, 2021 | Washington
While DJ is out trying to get in a well deserved vacation, I’ll be bringing you the next few editions of 5 Things We’re Watching. I’m the managing editor here at State of Reform where I have my eye on health care and health policy in Washington and a number
WSHA survey finds hospitals’ net income declined 90% in first three quarters of 2020
Emily Boerger | Jun 22, 2021 | Washington
Without COVID-19 relief funds, a survey from the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) finds hospitals experienced -4.7% operating margin during the first nine months of 2020. During this time, hospitals’ net income decreased 90%. WSHA surveyed all acute care hospitals in the state on their financial status amidst the COVID-19
12 Washington counties have vaccination rates below 50%
Matt Beuschlein | Jun 22, 2021 | Washington
Despite inching closer to a statewide vaccination rate of 70%, just 12 of Washington’s 39 counties have vaccination rates above 60%. As of June 22nd, 67.8% of individuals 16 years and older in Washington had received their first vaccination, according to the Washington State Department of Health COVID-19 Data Dashboard.
Deferred care: long term impacts of the pandemic
Matt Beuschlein | Jun 22, 2021 | Washington
A report from Humana and Medical Group Management Association found 97% of practices reported a drop in patient volumes by early April 2020, with 87% of respondents citing safety as the top reason for deferring care during the pandemic. By June 30th, 41% of U.S adults had delayed or avoided
Inslee: state may reopen early if 70% vaccination rate reached
Matt Beuschlein | Jun 17, 2021 | Washington
As of this morning, Washington State is at a 67.8% vaccination rate -- a stone's throw from the 70% bar set for reopening of the state. At a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Jay Inslee said Washington may be able to open sooner than June 30 if the state reaches
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