Washington State Chapter of NAPNAP
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Spring Legislative Blast of News!

Posted over 5 years ago by Karen Kilian

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2020 WA State Legislative Updates (37 KB)

Legislative BLAST:

Hello WA NAPNAP members,

The 2019 Washington State legislative session adjourned on March 12th. We are grateful for our active members and legislative interns who helped to advocate for our priorities this session. A brief summary of the big wins for kids can be found below. Please visit the WA NAPNAP Chapter ENP Network Legislative News tab for full details on each priority and bill we followed this session. Our work and legislative partnerships with ARNPs United and the Washington Chapter of the AAP will continue through the interim.

State Proclamations

  • Telemedicine (20-29): Proclamation signed by Governor Inslee on 3/26/20 that provides payment parity between health care services provided in-person and those provided through telemedicine! Telemedicine claims will be reimbursed at the same rate as care delivered face-to-face. Telemedicine claims cannot be denied by health insurance companies.

o   Concerning telemedicine payment parity (SB 5385): PASSED this session by both the Senate and House. Signed by the Governor. However, does not take effect until January 2021. The above proclamation will allow this law to go into effect immediately to help increase access to care during the coronavirus outbreak. Please note this bill does NOT exclude NPs from telehealth training as it does our physician colleagues. ARNPs United is working on correcting this. 

State Priorities

  • Sexually exploited children (HB 1775): Amended the Safe Harbor law to grant law enforcement the ability to take minors into custody to ensure their safety while conducting investigations. Previously minors could be criminalized for prostitution. PASSED in both the House and Senate. Awaiting signature from the Governor.
  • Extending coverage during the postpartum period (SB 6128): Extends postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to 12 months. PASSED in both the Senate and House. Awaiting signature from the Governor and approval of the federal waiver. Granting of this federal waiver will delay the implementation of this critical care for new parents.  

Other State Legislation and Budget Investments

  • The sustainable funding model for the services provided by the Partnership Access Line (HB 2728): Also extends funding for the PAL referral line. PASSED in both the House and Senate. Awaiting signature from Governor. Funding allocated in both the House and Senate budget through June 2021.
  • Increasing the availability of school meals provided to public school students at no student cost (HB 2660): Increases access to free meals in schools. PASSED in both the House and Senate. Awaiting signature from the Governor.
  • Concerning comprehensive sexual health education (SB 5395): Mandatory evidence-based K-12 sex education. PASSED in both Senate and House. Awaiting signature from the Governor.
  • Expanding access to nutritious food (SB 6309): Expands access to fruits and vegetables for those supported by WIC program or SNAP. PASSED in both Senate and House. Signed into law and effective 6/11/2020. Funding also allocated in Senate budget.  
  • Reach out and Read: Funding allocated in the House budget.
  • Rural School Nurse Corps: Partially funded in budget.
  • Concerning the state's response to the novel coronavirus (HB 2965): Given our current state of affairs the WA legislature approved the use of $200 million in state budget reserves to fund the response to the outbreak of COVID-19. Effective 3/17/2020.

 

Federal

  • Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act): Congress PASSED a $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill and signed into law on 3/27/19. Section 3708 of this bill includes corrective measures authorizing NPs to certify and recertify home health care services for Medicare patients. Thus, amending the Social Security Act and resolving our ordering problems! ARNPs United is working with CMS to implement this section as quickly as possible.    

*Find full text of CARES Act here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/748/text  

*Find 2020 Washington State Legislature complete bill information here: https://app.leg.wa.gov /billinfo/