1. Administrative clarification that OMT is separate and distinct from chiropractic treatment. This is important for both DO/MD residencies and MDs who use manipulation.
2. Maintenance of the Family Medicine Residency program at Skagit Regional.
3. Repealing the tax on physicians and health care providers under House Bill 2158 that imposed a 20% surcharge on the B&O tax paid by non-hospital affiliated physician practices. This surcharge cost physicians $50 million annually and the additional revenue is being used for primarily non-physician related services.
4. Develop legislation to replace prior authorization requirements with appropriate use criteria, using clinical guidelines that ensure appropriate, efficient, quality care while reducing burdens for patients and physicians.
5. Advocate for the passage of Senate Bill 5385 that requires services delivered by telemedicine to be reimbursed at the same rate as those delivered in person. This would be particularly helpful for patients and physicians in rural and underserved communities.
6. In addition, drug pricing, liability reform, behavioral health reform, opioids, scope of practice issues and adequate Medicaid rates will be considered and monitored by WOMA during the 2020 legislative session.