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Commission Connection

HELMS
The 3 1 Thing You Need to Know:

All licensing and credentialing systems will be unavailable from 5 p.m. on Friday, February 14 until midday of Wednesday, February 19. If you are renewing your license or applying for the first time, please complete
these actions before February 14th to avoid delays. More Information [ [link removed] ]





QUICK FACT

The Washington Medical Commission (WMC) is currently accepting applications to fill upcoming vacancies.Apply Now! [ [link removed] ]

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CwC
Coffee with the Commission – How to Report Discrimination to the WMC

Wed, Feb 05
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST
Register Here [ [link removed] ]

Coffee with the Commission is a time for the WMC to share initiatives and impacts to health care providers and communities. During this edition of Coffee with the Commission, Mahi Zeru, Equity and Social Justice Manager, will walk attendees through the discrimination section of the WMC complaint form and discuss examples of the different types of discrimination present in the health care setting. This will be a short presentation with plenty of time for your questions and discussion.


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Scale
Emergency Abortion Care in Washington State

On January 10, 2025, Governor Jay Inslee issued directive 25-01 which directs the Department of Health (the department) to adopt an emergency rule regarding emergency abortion care in Washington State. The department filed an amendment to existing rules to ensure access to treatment, including abortion care, for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments and to protect a pregnant person’s right to exercise informed consent in prioritizing their health and safety when receiving treatment for emergency medical conditions in hospital emergency departments. The emergency rule [ [link removed] ] was filed on January 13, 2025, and went into effect immediately.

The department will also conduct rulemaking to make these requirements permanent. Rulemaking notifications will be sent to the hospital distribution list using the state’s GovDelivery email notifications. You can find information about hospital rulemaking projects at Hospitals-Rules in Progress | Washington State Department of Health [ [link removed] ] and you can learn more about rulemaking at [link removed] [ [link removed] ].


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telemedicine
Expansion of Buprenorphine Treatment via Telemedicine

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a final rule to update and refine regulations surrounding the prescribing of controlled substances via telemedicine, with a particular focus on balancing public health needs and the prevention of substance misuse. This rule is part of an effort to clarify how the practice of telemedicine, which grew significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, can continue to support patient access to necessary care without compromising the safety measures associated with controlled substances. More Information [ [link removed] ]


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*From The FAQ Page*

Q: My Physician or Physician Assistant is rude. Is there anything I can do about it?

A: Rudeness is not a violation of the law. However, actions that mislead, harm or are of a sexual nature are considered to be unprofessional conduct and should be reported to the Medical Commission. If you are simply not comfortable with your doctor, another option may be to find one more suitable for you.

Read More on the FAQ Page [ [link removed] ]

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Upcoming Events

February 05- How to Report Discrimination to the WMC [ [link removed] ]

February 07- Potential WMC Member Q&A [ [link removed] ]

February 21- Potential WMC Member Q&A [ [link removed] ]

 

February 27- Policy Meeting [ [link removed] ]

 

March 07- Potential WMC Member Q&A [ [link removed] ]

 

March 13- Personal Appearances [ [link removed] ]

 

March 14- WMC Business Meeting [ [link removed] ]

 

March 21- Potential WMC Member Q&A [ [link removed] ]

 

March 27- Policy: Interested Parties [ [link removed] ]

 

April 04- Potential WMC Member Q&A [ [link removed] ]

 

April 18- Potential WMC Member Q&A [ [link removed] ]

 

April 24- 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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