Resolutions to the 2026 WSMA House of Delegates
KCMS physicians wrote 21 resolutions this year. Each one started with a member who saw something in medicine that needed to change.
- 1Fair Billing, Due Process, and System Reforms for L&I Providers
- 2Biosimilar Cost Transparency
- 3Universal Primary Care
- 4Increased Inclusion of Immunocompromised Patients in Clinical Trials
- 5Protecting Adolescent Access to Gender-Affirming Care from Federal Preemption and Funding Restrictions
- 6Establishing Product Liability for Clinical Artificial Intelligence Failures
- 7Strengthening Washington's Prior Authorization Law (closing gaps in SB 5395)
- 8Ensuring Adequate Diagnostic Evaluation Before Prescribing Controlled Substances
- 9Commonsense Limits on Medical Debt Interest to Protect Both Patients and Providers
- 10Provision of Toolkits for Physicians and Patients Regarding Law Enforcement Engagement
- 11Opposition to the Use of Political Appointees for Final Decisions on Federally Funded Research Grants
- 12Banning Cell Phone Use During the School Day in Washington Schools
- 13Differentiated Pathways, Referral Standards, and Structural Reform for the Washington Physicians Health Program
- 14Facilitating Clinical Shadowing Opportunities for Washington Pre-Medical Students
- 15Patient Disclosure of Provider Credentials and Informed Consent
- 16Addressing the Health Impacts of Excessive Educational Technology (EdTech) Use in Washington Schools
- 17Improved Medicare for All (State Level)
- 18Kratom
WISeR resolutions
- 19Federal Oversight, Transparency, and Contractor Accountability in Medicare Prior Authorization
- 20Washington Apple Health Prior Authorization Safeguards and Transparency Standards
- 21State Oversight of Artificial Intelligence in Health Insurance Medical Necessity Decisions
KCMS Delegate Council
The Physician Voice of King County
The KCMS Delegate Council is more than 100 King County physicians, and it is where physician experience becomes policy, shaping legislation, clinical practice, public health, and the future of medicine. Physicians across King County develop and debate positions on legislation, scope of practice, reimbursement, and professional standards.
These physician-driven priorities guide KCMS advocacy in Olympia and beyond. While KCMS collaborates with the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA), it maintains an independent policy agenda, advancing physician priorities directly through its own advocacy strategy, lobbyist, and relationships with policymakers.
KCMS also contributes to statewide policy through participation in the WSMA House of Delegates, where a seated KCMS delegation ensures that the perspectives of King County physicians inform broader medical policy across Washington.
Current Legislative Activity
KCMS engages in legislation that affects patient access, physician practice, and public health. Positions and bill status may evolve as legislation moves through the process.
Top Priorities
Prior Authorization Reform
SHB 1566 / E2SSB 5395
Reducing administrative barriers that delay patient care and improving transparency and accountability in prior authorization determinations.
Practice Sustainability & Access to Care
Addressing timely payment, workforce shortages, coverage policies, and administrative burden that affect physician practices and patient access to care.
Firearm Injury Prevention
HB 2320
Supporting evidence-based public health approaches to reducing firearm-related injury and death.
What We Created This Year
KCMS physicians wrote 21 resolutions in the 2026 cycle. Every one began with a member who ran into a problem in practice and decided to put it in writing. The Delegate Council reviewed and voted on each of them, and a seated KCMS delegation carries them to the WSMA House of Delegates in Spokane on September 26 and 27.
Resolutions are proposed policy. They become KCMS positions once adopted by the Delegate Council, and statewide policy only if adopted by the House of Delegates.
Prior Authorization
- Strengthening Washington's Prior Authorization Law
- Federal Oversight, Transparency, and Contractor Accountability in Medicare Prior Authorization
- Washington Apple Health Prior Authorization Safeguards and Transparency Standards
Access & Coverage
- Universal Primary Care
- Improved Medicare for All at the State Level
- Protecting Adolescent Access to Gender-Affirming Care from Federal Preemption and Funding Restrictions
Payment, Billing & Medical Debt
- Fair Billing, Due Process, and System Reforms for L&I Providers
- Commonsense Limits on Medical Debt Interest to Protect Both Patients and Providers
Artificial Intelligence
- Modernizing Product Liability for Clinical Artificial Intelligence Failures
- State Oversight of Artificial Intelligence in Health Insurance Medical Necessity Decisions
Drug Pricing & Policy
- Biosimilar Cost Transparency
- Kratom
Public Health & Schools
- Banning Cell Phone Use During the School Day in Washington Schools
- Addressing the Health Impacts of Excessive Educational Technology (EdTech) Use in Washington Schools
Scope of Practice & Informed Consent
- Ensuring Adequate Diagnostic Evaluation Before Prescribing Controlled Substances
- Patient Disclosure of Provider Credentials and Informed Consent
Workforce & Physician Health
- Facilitating Clinical Shadowing Opportunities for Washington Pre-Medical Students
- Differentiated Pathways, Referral Standards, and Structural Reform for the Washington Physicians Health Program
Research, Practice Support & Federal Advocacy
- Increased Inclusion of Immunocompromised Patients in Clinical Trials
- Opposition to the Use of Political Appointees for Final Decisions on Federally Funded Research Grants
- Provision of Toolkits for Physicians and Patients Regarding Law Enforcement Engagement
Any KCMS member can write a resolution. If there is a problem you keep running into, that is where it starts.
Legislation KCMS Supported in 2026
Access, Coverage & Affordability
- SB 5845 — Timely payment requirements for health carriers
- SB 6183 — Coverage for HIV antiviral drugs
- SB 5577 — Medicaid coverage for HIV antiviral drugs
- SB 5917 — Improving access to reproductive medications
- SSB 5975 — Regulation of lead in cookware
Practice Environment & Accountability
- HB 1675 — Corporate practice of medicine/private equity
- HB 2261 — Transparency in credentials and communications
- SB 5162 — Workplace violence prevention in health care
- HB 2176 — Collaborative drug therapy agreements
- HB 1306 — IMG preceptorship and supervised pathways
- SB 6258 — Nondisciplinary pathway to relinquish medical licenses
Technology, Data & Artificial Intelligence
- HB 2503 — Artificial intelligence training data transparency
- HB 2157 — High-risk AI and algorithmic discrimination
- SHB 2157 / SB 6120 — Regulation of high-risk AI systems
Public Health & Prevention
- HB 2320 — Regulation of firearm manufacturing
- SB 6116 — Restore funding for cancer research
- SB 5985 — Endometriosis awareness and care
- HB 2401 — Washington State Commission on Boys and Men
How the Delegate Council Shapes Policy
More than 100 King County physicians serve on the KCMS Delegate Council, developing physician-driven policy that guides KCMS advocacy in Olympia with our KCMS lobbyist, and throughout Washington. While KCMS participates in the WSMA House of Delegates, KCMS also advances policy priorities independently through direct legislative advocacy and engagement with policymakers.
Many KCMS policy proposals move through the WSMA policy cycle, but KCMS may also pursue advocacy strategies outside that process when needed to ensure that King County physicians' perspectives are represented.
Policy Development Timeline
Spring
Idea Development
Physicians propose new resolutions addressing clinical practice, patient care, public health, or physician well-being.
Summer
Drafting & Review
Authors work with KCMS staff to draft and refine resolution language. Proposals are reviewed.
August
KCMS Delegate Council Vote
All Council members review proposed resolutions and vote on whether KCMS will endorse them as KCMS policy.
September
Statewide Policy Consideration
KCMS-endorsed resolutions can be submitted to WSMA, where a seated KCMS delegation presents them for consideration as statewide medical policy.
Year-Round
KCMS Advocacy
KCMS continues to advance physician-driven priorities directly, working with KCMS lobbyist, elected officials, and policymakers.
Become a KCMS Delegate
Physicians advocate for their patients every day. The Delegate Council is where that advocacy moves beyond the bedside and into policy. More than 100 King County physicians already serve.
Delegates help:
- Develop KCMS policy resolutions
- Debate and vote on the positions KCMS takes
- Shape legislation affecting clinical practice and patient care
- Bring real-world clinical insight into public policy discussions
No prior policy experience is required, and no travel is required. Most of the work happens by email and online vote, and KCMS staff provide support throughout the process.
Interested in serving?
To learn more or express interest in serving as a delegate:
Email us to get startedinfo@kcmsociety.org
Why the Delegate Council Matters
KCMS policy resolutions help shape the conversations that influence healthcare policy in Washington. Through the Delegate Council, physicians bring frontline clinical experience into discussions that affect how medicine is practiced and how patients receive care.
KCMS-authored policies have helped drive statewide dialogue on issues including:
- Prior authorization reform
- Physician workforce development
- Artificial intelligence in healthcare
- Corporate ownership of medical practices
- Public health and prevention
By participating in the Delegate Council, physicians ensure that health policy reflects clinical reality, protects the integrity of medical practice, and prioritizes the needs of patients and communities.
Delegate Lists
Amish Dave, MD
Bruce Smith, MD
Greg Engel, MD
Matthew Grierson, MD
Richard Kaner, MD
Mark Levy, MD
Kevin Johnson, MD
Mark Vossler, MD
Teresa Girolami, MD
Sara Pauk, MD
Megha Rao, MD
Michelle Terry, MD
Donald Ross, MD
Hope Wechkin, MD
Ray Hsiao, MD
Chris Belcher, MD
Ellen Passloff, MD
Nancy Connolly, MD
Ellen Thomason Derrick, MD
Mona Kathuria, DO
Rajneet S. Lamba, MD
Daniel Low, MD
Anna Walton, MD
Sara Pauk, MD
Rajesh Subramanian, MD
Irene Young, MD
Julia Murray, MD
Jeffrey Frankel, MD
Mary Ellen Walker, MD
Barry Grosskopf, MD
Mark Flannery, MD
Gregory Engel, MD
Erin Bauer, MD