Washington Rural Health Association

Legislation

Legislative Platform 2010

The Washington Rural Health Association joins the Blue Ribbon Commission on Health Care Costs and Access in its efforts "to substantially improve access to affordable health care for all Washingtonians." WRHA is a strong advocate for enhanced access to rural health services, focusing on quality, affordability, and stability.

WRHA provides a neutral forum to discuss the implications of proposed rural health policy and legislation upon the multiple players in the rural health arena.

WRHA Supports... Legislative Health Care Strategies

•    and promotes a philosophy of "DO NO HARM." Regulatory and policy decisions effect on rural health care delivery systems must be known and considered before those decisions impose unintended consequences in rural Washington.
Unintended consequences are a concern for all citizens of Washington. WRHA is eager to participate in the discussions this Session to help avoid unintended consequences to the rural health care system.

•    and promotes policies which strengthen rural economic development by recognizing healthcare as a major component in the economic fiber of rural Washington, and healthy economy as essential to a healthy community.

Maintaining and building a strong healthcare infrastructure is key to the economic development and sustainability of rural communities. This includes recruiting health care providers and stabilizing funding for public health.

•    the removal of barriers interfering with access to appropriate levels of health care including primary, preventative, mental health and dental care, within their local community.

Barriers can be economic, geographic or programmatic. In rural areas:

Economic barriers include health insurance availability, cost, and practice costs

Geographic barriers, including travel distances, seasonal weather conditions, and distribution of primary and ancillary services (e.g. dental, mental, and chronic disease care), affect both residents and tourists.

Programmatic barriers are created when programs require services that have limited providers.

•    legislation for meaningful tort reform allowing patients to be fairly compensated for their losses while protecting healthcare providers and the communities they serve.

The current tort environment drives good providers out of state or into early retirement, limits the recruitment pool of credentialed providers, and is a significant barrier to access.

•    policies requiring insurance carriers to offer services in rural areas and work with rural providers. Rising costs of premiums offered by fewer carriers and limited preferred providers can be a barrier.

Incentives should be provided to health carriers that offer coverage to rural communities. Often the expertise is available but the program requirements are narrowly written and unintentionally exclude rural providers.

•    recruitment and retention of health care personnel through financial incentives, professional and personal development, and healthy community infrastructure.

Healthcare personnel recruitment, training, and retention rely on a strong rural economy and removal of barriers to access as noted.

•    the affordability and availability of appropriate telehealth infrastructure to facilitate the exchange of expertise to and among rural locations.

Expanded use of telemedicine can help expand access to services and break down geographic and programmatic barriers.

To that end, the WRHA offers its expertise and consultation whenever matters affecting rural Washington State health care are considered.

Helpful Resources

Bill Tracking Report

Governor's speech

WRHA Supports...	Legislative Health Care Strategies
• and promotes a philosophy of "DO NO HARM." Regulatory and policy decisions effect on rural health care delivery systems must be known and considered before those decisions impose unintended consequences in rural Washington.	Unintended consequences are a concern for all citizens of Washington. WRHA is eager to participate in the discussions this Session to help avoid unintended consequences to the rural health care system.
• and promotes policies which strengthen rural economic development by recognizing healthcare as a major component in the economic fiber of rural Washington, and healthy economy as essential to a healthy community.	Maintaining and building a strong healthcare infrastructure is key to the economic development and sustainability of rural communities. This includes recruiting health care providers and stabilizing funding for public health.
• the removal of barriers interfering with access to appropriate levels of health care including primary, preventative, mental health and dental care, within their local community.	Barriers can be economic, geographic or programmatic. In rural areas: Economic barriers include health insurance availability, cost, and practice costs Geographic barriers, including travel distances, seasonal weather conditions, and distribution of primary and ancillary services (e.g. dental, mental, and chronic disease care), affect both residents and tourists. Programmatic barriers are created when programs require services that have limited providers.
• legislation for meaningful tort reform allowing patients to be fairly compensated for their losses while protecting healthcare providers and the communities they serve.	The current tort environment drives good providers out of state or into early retirement, limits the recruitment pool of credentialed providers, and is a significant barrier to access.
• policies requiring insurance carriers to offer services in rural areas and work with rural providers. Rising costs of premiums offered by fewer carriers and limited preferred providers can be a barrier.	Incentives should be provided to health carriers that offer coverage to rural communities. Often the expertise is available but the program requirements are narrowly written and unintentionally exclude rural providers.
• recruitment and retention of health care personnel through financial incentives, professional and personal development, and healthy community infrastructure.	Healthcare personnel recruitment, training, and retention rely on a strong rural economy and removal of barriers to access as noted.
• the affordability and availability of appropriate telehealth infrastructure to facilitate the exchange of expertise to and among rural locations.	Expanded use of telemedicine can help expand access to services and break down geographic and programmatic barriers.