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Commission Connection

opioid workshop screen shot [ [link removed] ]
Three Things You Need to Know: 

1. DOH launched Naloxone Finder [ [link removed] ], a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, including those caused by fentanyl.

2. The first workshop for Opioid Prescribing General Provisions for MDs & PAs was held on Wednesday, July 30. The recording is now available  [ [link removed] ].

3. You can use the Provider Credential Search [ [link removed] ] to learn more about your health care provider. 





QUICK FACT

New Profession: Anesthesiologist Assistants - The CR-103 for Permanent Rulemaking was filed on June 26, 2025, as WSR #25-14-053 [ [link removed] ]. The WSR document contains the adopted rule language, which took effect on July 27, 2025.

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WICPicture
*Washington WIC recipients can now use benefits for online ordering from Walmart stores*

We’re excited to announce the launch [ [link removed] ] of the Washington Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program [ [link removed] ]’s Online Ordering Pilot. This means that WIC participants can now use their benefits to order WIC approved foods for delivery, shipping, and pickup from Walmart across Washington state. Washington state is one of 11 states testing WIC online ordering and joins Massachusetts as the only two states working with Walmart as a national vendor. Online ordering will help WIC participants use more of their WIC benefits each month, which means healthier children and families.

Currently, WIC online ordering is only available at Walmart. The pilot project runs through Dec. 31, 2025, with the goal of expanding to other retailers in Washington in the future. To get started, WIC participants will need to add their WIC card to their free Walmart account at www.Walmart.com/WIC [ [link removed] ] or through the Walmart mobile app. There is no fee for pickup. Delivery and shipping fees are not covered by WIC.

The project is funded by a grant from the Center for Nutrition & Health Impact [ [link removed] ]. Washington WIC serves an estimated 205,000 infants, children, and pregnant and postpartum adults every year.  In addition to monthly benefits to buy nutrient-rich foods, WIC provides nutrition education, breast and chest feeding support, referrals, and more. To learn more about WIC, find a WIC clinic near you [ [link removed] ] or visit Washington WIC [ [link removed] ].

*Free WIC promotional materials* are available to print or order at doh.wa.gov/WICOutreachMaterials [ [link removed] ]. Contact: [email protected]


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rules
Fee Rules
New Profession
Anesthesiologist Assistants

The Department of Health (DOH), in consultation with the WMC, filed a CR-102, Proposed Rulemaking on July 22, 2025 (WSR #25-15-148 [ [link removed] ]) to establish licensing and regulation fees for anesthesiologist assistants under new rule, WAC 246-921-990. 

In response to this filing, the DOH will conduct a rules hearing to be held virtually on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, starting at 4:00 PM. To register for this virtual hearing, please visit the registration page: 8/26/2025 Rules Hearing Registration [ [link removed] ]

Submit written comments by 11:59 pm on August 26, 2025, to:
[email protected] or Rules Comment [ [link removed] ]


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NO2
The Use of Nitrous Oxide in Office-based Surgical Settings

The WMC will hold a Rules Hearing on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 9:30 am regarding rules establishing the use of nitrous oxide in office-based surgical settings. The CR-102, Proposed Rulemaking, was filed as WSR #25-14-080 [ [link removed] ] on June 30, 2025, and includes the proposed language. The public comment period will close on August 15, 2025, at 11:59 pm. More Information [ [link removed] ]


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MEeting
From the FAQ Page 

Q: Can I make a complaint without giving my name? 

A: Complaints that do not include the name of the person involved are sometimes difficult to investigate. As a consumer of health care or a health care provider, you have whistleblower protection; RCW 43.70.075 [ [link removed] ] and WAC 246.15 [ [link removed] ], your name will not be disclosed without your permission. Your consent may be necessary in order to question the physician, physician assistant or witnesses and to secure your medical records if they are needed for the investigation. In that event, you would be asked to complete a release of confidentiality and would be given the necessary information to make a decision.


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Pharmacy Closures and Prescription Transfers of Noncontrolled Legend Drugs 

In May 2025, Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy, which is expected to lead to pharmacy closures nationwide. As a result, there may be changes to the pharmacy sector in Washington State, including a potential increase in prescription transfers. Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission (PQAC) approved a guidance document titled "Pharmacy Closures and Prescription Transfers of Noncontrolled Legend Drugs Under WAC 246-945-345" [ [link removed] ]. This guidance is effective until November 6, 2025. The guidance document will be posted to the commission’s policies, procedures, and guidelines webpage [ [link removed] ].




Upcoming Events

Aug 21 - Personal Appearances [ [link removed] ]

Aug 22 - WMC Business Meeting [ [link removed] ]

Sept 01 - WMC Offices Closed [ [link removed] ]

Sept 25 - Policy: Interested Parties [ [link removed] ]

Oct 02 - Personal Appearances [ [link removed] ]

Oct 30 - Policy Committee [ [link removed] ]

 

CONTACT US

Washington Medical Commission. 

PO Box 47866 

Olympia, WA 98504-7866 

Phone: 360-236-2750 

WMC.wa.gov [ [link removed] ]

[email protected]

 

QUICK LINKS

File a complaint  [ [link removed] ]

FAQs [ [link removed] ]

Licenses Recently Granted [ [link removed] ]

News and Announcements  [ [link removed] ]

Pain Management Resources [ [link removed] ]

Request A Speaker [ [link removed] ]

Search for a MD or PA license [ [link removed] ]


ABOUT THE COMMISSION 

Your WA Medical Commission (WMC) currently regulates about 34,000 licenses, more than 3,000 of which are Physician Assistants. 

The WMC is composed of 21 governor-appointed members, including:


* 13 physicians, one from each congressional district and three at-large positions
* Six public members
* Two physician assistants.

The WMC also employs staff based in Tumwater and Spokane, WA. The professional staff includes attorneys and physicians. 

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS 

We provide speakers and subject matter experts on a variety of topics, including:


* Opioid prescribing
* Reduction of medical errors
* Patient rights
* Patient safety
* Effective communication
* General who we are and what we do

We are also happy to work with you to design an event or webinar. Email us <[email protected]> for more information.















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