Three Things You Need to Know:?

1) We are Hiring - Supervising Staff Attorney. Learn More Here

2) The next edition of the WMC quarterly newsletter will be sent via email on September 29^th. The newsletter will feature the first article from the new chair and executive director of the WMC as well as legal action and other important information. Sign-up here to receive the newsletter.

3)?Stores are now carrying Narcan, the drug that can reverse and opioid overdose, over-the-counter.

QUICK FACT

The WMC hosts a library of educational webinars on our website.

Prescription Opioid Misuse ? Starts with One Campaign

The WMC is excited to share information about the Washington State Health Care Authority?s (HCA) Starts with One campaign which is designed to inform and educate young adults, their parents, and older adults about the dangers of prescription opioid misuse and the importance of safe storage, responsible use, and disposal.?HCA is currently working to increase awareness of the ways in which hospitals and hospital-based prescribers can help educate patients and prevent opioid misuse before it starts.

We urge you to take a look at the resources available on the campaign website here. Materials such as posters, informational rack cards and more are available upon request through the form on the site. If you have a specific need or request or would like more information about the campaign, you are welcome to email Katie Lewis who is managing this effort.

Possible Amendments to the WMC's Opioid Prescribing Rules

The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) officially filed a CR-101 with the Office of the Code Reviser on August 16, 2023. The WMC considering amending the following sections to modernize the language, add clarity, and bring the rules more in line with current practice. A list of the changes can be found here. In response to the filing, the WMC will conduct an open public rules workshop on Monday, September 18, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. To attend virtually, please register for this workshop here.

Rules Hearing
ESSB 5229 - Health Equity CE

The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) officially filed a CR-102 with the Office of the Code Reviser on August 23, 2023. The WMC is proposing new sections of rule to establish health equity continuing education (CE) requirements to implement Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The WSR# is 23-18-007. In response to the filing, the WMC will conduct an open public rules hearing on Friday, October 20, 2023, beginning at 8:30 am. This hearing will be held virtually via Teams.?Please register for this Rules Hearing here.

Important changes for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program

1) WIC will offer in-person as well as remote appointments starting September 1, 2023. The Washington State WIC program is transitioning from federal waivers under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act. WIC staff must now:

Offer in-person as well as remote appointments.
Obtain weight, height/recumbent length and hemoglobin values if not performed during the WIC appointment.

2) WIC has updated the WIC Medicaid Nutrition Form to request Medicaid coverage for formula not provided by WIC.

We hope the updates ease the process for your patients to get nutritional products that WIC doesn?t provide. Please review the links below.

3) WIC now refers children to their health care provider if they haven?t had a blood lead test.