KCMS ACTIVITY
🌟 Calling All Healthcare Professionals: Participate in This NEW Survey! 🌟
Advancing Hemophilia Care Through Shared Decision-Making & Education
KCMS is thrilled to announce a grant award from Pfizer for our initiative:
Increasing Shared Decision-Making & Education on Emerging Hemophilia Therapies.
We invite healthcare professionals across all specialties to join us in this project by completing a 10-minute baseline survey. Your input will directly inform educational resources to improve patient outcomes and foster meaningful change in hemophilia care.
Survey Closes: Friday, February 28th
🎁 Complete both surveys to enter a drawing for one of six $250 gift cards—funded by KCMS!
Who Should Participate?
✔️ Physicians (MD/DO)
✔️ Nurses (LPN, RN, NP, CNS)
✔️ Physician Assistants (PA)
Spread the Word! Share this opportunity with your colleagues to amplify our impact.
💙 Thank you for your dedication to advancing healthcare excellence! If you have questions or want to get involved, contact us at info@kcmsociety.org.
2025 Legislative Priorities
In 2025, the King County Medical Society (KCMS) will focus on initiatives that promote physician and patient well-being:
Support Legislation to Improve Patient Access to High-Quality Physician Care:
- Implement a Medicaid Access Program to align reimbursement rates for primary and specialty care with Medicare levels.
- Extend Medicaid postpartum substance use disorder coverage to a minimum of six months.
- Maintain education requirements for coroners in Washington.
Support Legislation that Centers Physician Expertise for Quality Care:
- Reform the prior authorization process to reduce administrative burden, ensure specialty-specific peer review, and require human oversight in denial decisions.
- Reduce legal, administrative, and tax burdens on physicians.
Support Public Health and Improved Patient Outcomes:
- Establish a Commission on Boys and Men to recommend evidence-based health interventions.
- Implement statewide Firearm Injury Prevention Education in high schools.
- Secure funding for full implementation of the Washington State Working Family Tax Credit.
- Advocate for climate health initiatives, including reducing nano-plastics, anesthetic gas emissions, and overall carbon pollution.
Oppose Legislation that Undermines Physicians’ Roles in Healthcare:
- Prevent inappropriate expansion of physician responsibilities to non-physicians without proven patient benefits.
- Resist healthcare corporatization that limits physician leadership roles.
- Protect funding for physician education and the healthcare system.
- Oppose evidence-lacking requirements imposed on physicians.
KCMS is committed to advancing policies that prioritize patient care, public health, and physician well-being.
EVENTS
Quotes From Doctors & Medical Students
"Covering KCMS memberships for our doctors is a responsibility our hospital takes seriously. Membership ensures their voices are heard and they are supported by us. Why wouldn't every hospital system do the same? It's crucial for delivering the best care to patients and our physicians."
"We are all crazy busy - but KCMS has been essential for my professional growth, offering resources and a strong voice in healthcare."
"Being part of KCMS is like voting – if you don't join, you can't complain. Our collective voice is crucial for making real changes in healthcare."
"THANK YOU to the KCMS for getting community healthcare providers vaccinated. You are the only agency that has made such an organized effort on our behalf. Thanks for your hard work!!"
"Covering KCMS memberships empowers our physicians with crucial resources and advocacy. Any hospital not doing this is failing to fully support their staff. It's our duty to ensure our doctors have the support they need."
"KCMS has excellent leadership, strategic management, & collaborative skills. It's nimble & responsive. To quote Hamilton, "'We get the job done!"
"Doctors cannot be passive observers; we want to set the standards, not have someone else tell us what the standards are."
"I'm a great believer in the physician as an advocate focused on the welfare of patients."
"Using the KeyBank mortgage discount saves me $1,000 per month!"
"We have to send the message to our mentees to get involved with organizations. The organization gains, and you gain. And I think it's critical to advocate for the policies ... and funding that will make a difference ... All of us have to be part of the solution." Dr. Ralph Sacco
🌍 Student Quote: "I realized I was not limited by my birth circumstances but rather by how hard I was willing to work. My journey is about more than becoming a physician; it's about uplifting communities through healthcare education and access."💬
🌿 Student Quote: "I am dedicated to advocating for health equity and providing culturally competent care to Native communities." 💬
💡 Student Quote: "Growing up as the son of two Filipino immigrants, I experienced firsthand the disparities in healthcare access. My dream is to advocate for equitable healthcare policies and provide compassionate care to underserved communities." 💬
🩹 Student Quote: "Witnessing the lack of medical resources in rural communities sparked my interest in osteopathic medicine, focusing on the whole patient, including socioeconomic and cultural aspects." 💬
✨ Student Quote: "Living with low income made it difficult for my patient to access fresh foods and safe areas to exercise, impacting her health. My goal is to empower patients like her to achieve their health goals." 💬
🩺 Student Quote: "As an aspiring physician, I strive to overcome healthcare disparities by adopting a growth mindset and promoting health equity for underserved communities." 💬
📚 Student Quote: "My background as a bilingual speaker and my experience in community health work have shown me the importance of representation in healthcare." 💬
🌟 Student Quote: "Medicine must transcend social, religious, and political differences. I aim to provide equitable surgical care to underserved populations." 💬
💪🏽 Student Quote: "Observing medically underserved communities, I was confronted with the disproportionate disease burden and barriers to care. I strive to use my experiences to better serve marginalized communities." 💬
KCMS News & Updates
KCMS does not review, investigate, or discipline physicians. The WMC is responsible for that process.
KCMS is a member of the NAM Action Collaborative on Decarbonizing the U.S. Health Sector. Learn more HERE.
Listen to the KCMS Legislative Summit conversations with WA State Attorney General Bob Ferguson, Representative Tina Orwall, and Senator Ann Rivers!
Information about the KCMS Community Foundation's
Medical Student Grants
Free KCMS CMEs Available for you!
1) "Preventing Childhood Lead Poisoning" for credit. CLICK HERE.
2) "Racism in Medicine" for credit. CLICK HERE.
BI-WEEKLY NEWSLETTERS & INFO BLASTS
Missed a KCMS newsletter? No problem, if you are a KCMS member you can see our full menu, or register to receive the newsletter.
From one of our members to his colleagues,
"Hi, Team. If you’re not a member of the KCMS, I would suggest you're missing out. Their publication (forwarded) is the best of its kind, an example of genuine quality and efficiency in communication. Take that left-over CME money and join this year to support your local medical society."
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
KCMS welcomes all doctors to Join Today. Once a member of KCMS, you can
- Become a KCMS Delegate.
- Be nominated for the KCMS Board of Trustees.
- Serve on a Committee, KCMS has active committees found HERE.
- Take advantage of the member benefits, including reduced mortgage rates at Key Bank for physicians.