Washington News
News stories from the past 60 days.
Sep 13, 2021 - Announces $20 million in funding to entities in Alabama, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington to address disparities in health equity and increase healthcare access in rural areas. Notes that the four recipients serve 300,000 Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries in rural and tribal communities.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Sep 7, 2021 - Reports on hospitalization increases in Washington state, noting a 34% weekly increase in patients on ventilators and shortages in rural areas. Notes that the shortages are impacting emergency care for individuals infected with COVID-19 and patients with other conditions.
Source: Q13 Fox Seattle
Aug 27, 2021 - Notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcing the implementation dates for all remaining states and territories for the national expansion of the Prior Authorization Model for Repetitive, Scheduled Non-Emergent Ambulance Transports. This model tests whether prior authorization for repetitive, scheduled non-emergent ambulance transports helps reduce expenditures while maintaining or improving access to and quality of care.
Source: Federal Register
Jul 29, 2021 - Highlights a Washington State University-led rural outreach project, Participatory Action Research with Teens (Take-PART), designed to teach teens aged 14-18 about opioid misuse prevention and education. Describes how lessons learned from the project will help more teen groups and partner organizations develop their own outreach projects.
Source: Washington State University
Last Updated: 9/13/2021