Washington State Medical Association (WSMA)

12/18/2025

It's not too late to get a ! Flu vaccines are safe and effective and are recommended for everyone ages 6 months and up. The vaccine is continues to be one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death from the flu. Contact your local pharmacy or physician's office for availability.

A person has died of influenza in Yakima County, the first flu-related death in the county this season, according to the Yakima Health District.

12/18/2025

The WSMA strongly supports the West Coast Health Alliance’s recommendation that vaccination continue to be offered to newborns. Major health insurance groups have said they will continue to cover the hepatitis B birth dose. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4nTDTtS

12/16/2025

We're excited to announce that our first Future Physician Scholarship will be going to an incoming medical student at the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine in 2026! This scholarship is intended to support admitted medical students who have been socially or economically disadvantaged or who may not otherwise be able to attend medical school in their journeys to become physicians. The goal of the scholarship is to build a physician community in Washington state that mirrors our patient community. Read more about the scholarship:
https://bit.ly/4qcwLJI

12/10/2025

Physicians persevere through difficult days to be close at hand with their patients, facing health challenges together. Their most frustrating days are spent fighting against growing bureaucracy that can interrupt patient care.

At the WSMA, we’re ensuring physicians are by patients’ sides, every step of the way. Learn more: https://stateline.org/2025/12/04/medicares-new-ai-experiment-sparks-alarm-among-doctors-lawmakers/

A Medicare pilot program will allow private companies to use artificial intelligence to review older Americans’ requests for certain medical care — and will reward the companies when they deny it.

12/09/2025

The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) strongly supports that hepatitis B vaccination continue to be routinely offered to all newborns, with the first dose of the vaccine given within 24 hours of birth for newborns weighing at least 2,000 grams (4 pounds, 7 ounces), followed by completion of the vaccine series. This recommendation aligns with trusted national medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Read the news release at https://heyor.ca/xZdHPQ

12/09/2025

The Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP) is Washington's trusted resource for restoring the health of medical professionals. Our confidential support and exceptional outcomes provide reassurance of safe practice and promote workforce sustainability.

In 2024, WPHP served 408 health professionals with high rates of satisfaction. View the ratings of their WPHP experience below.

🔗 Learn more about WPHP's impact in our 2024 Annual Report:https://wphp.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/WPHP_AnnRep2024.pdf

12/09/2025

Driven by a passion for healing and to save lives, physicians dedicate years to training. At every stage, physicians remain committed to empowering their patients with trusted, evidence-based guidance they need to make the health care decisions that are right for them. As this op-ed from Dr. Cathrine Wheeler shows, that includes standing up to preserve vaccine integrity and availability.
Learn more:

Over the last several months, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has significantly weakened the vaccine infrastructure that has saved countless lives.

12/05/2025

Immunizing newborns against hepatitis B is critical to reduce chronic hepatitis B later in life. False claims that call this benefit into question jeopardize the health of children. Find the evidence-based guidance you need from physicians—not politicians. Read more from the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://bit.ly/4pvHrmT

12/05/2025

"Medicare recipients are a vulnerable group. The WISeR program puts more barriers up for them accessing care. And they may have to now deal with prior authorization when they never had to deal with it before," says WSMA VP Bindu Nayak, MD. Read more about the program and why the WSMA is opposing it.

A Medicare pilot program will allow private companies to use artificial intelligence to review older Americans’ requests for certain medical care — and will reward the companies when they deny it.

11/21/2025

Studies have repeatedly found no credible link between life-saving childhood vaccines and autism, and research confirms vaccines are safe and effective. Talk to your child's physician with questions and read more from the American Academy of Pediatrics: https://bit.ly/47z7Qsn.

11/20/2025

The WSMA has influence because of you—our members, and your membership support fuels our critical work on your behalf. At at time when the profession is under strain, it's more important than ever to stand united. Renew or join today: wsma.org/join-renew.
➡️ Membership is free for medical students, residents, and physicians in their first year of practice.
➡️ Are you a physician professor, researcher, admin, or scientist? You may quality for reduced dues. More info at wsma.org/dues.

11/19/2025

Confused about recent news on changes to vaccine schedules and prenatal care? Turn to trusted physician partners to help you navigate important health issues and talk to your doctor if you have questions. Learn more: http://bit.ly/4nTDTtS