August newsletter: A round-up of Healthier Washington happenings

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August 24, 2017

New Sentinel Network findings reveal statewide health workforce trends and shortages

Sentinel Network findings from the spring survey include:  

  • Registered nurses and medical assistants were among occupations with exceptionally long vacancies in all regions of Washington.
  • Rural employers reported difficulty recruiting multiple occupations.
  • More training in the use of electronic health records and health information technology, as well as customer service skills, is needed in many settings.
  • High turnover rates in behavioral/mental health facilities are increasing workforce demand. 

Read the full announcement.

Annual value-based payment survey seeks provider participation

The Health Care Authority (HCA) is seeking provider participation in its annual value-based payment survey. The survey will assist HCA in tracking progress toward the statewide goal of paying for value-based care, rather than paying for volume of care. Further, this survey will provide valuable insight into the challenges providers face when considering adopting new payment arrangements and inform HCA’s efforts to support the provider community.

Read full announcement.

    Accountable Communities of Health meet important Demonstration deadline

    All nine Accountable Communities of Health (ACH) submitted applications and data sharing agreements for Phase 2 certification under Initiative 1 of the Medicaid Transformation Demonstration. Phase 2 certification signifies that ACHs are capable of serving as the regional leaders, and the single point of performance accountability for transformation projects.

    The applications are under review and will be posted to the HCA website in September. Successful scores will earn each ACH up to $5 million to continue designing and planning their regional health transformation efforts. The next important milestone for ACHs will be in November, when their Project Plans are due to the state. 

    To learn more, visit the Healthier Washington ACH web page.

      New contractors join the Demonstration team

      Myers & Stauffer will take on the role of independent assessor to review and score ACH project plans, and assess ACH progress as they implement their projects.

      The Athena Group LLC has signed on as project manager to provide HCA staff with technical assistance and subject matter expertise, and deliver project management tools and solutions that support the achievement of project milestones.

      To learn more, visit the Healthier Washington Medicaid Transformation web page.

      Voices of a healthier Washington

      thomas may

      Stable housing puts recovery in reach

      For Thomas May, depression robbed him of the will to live. It had already taken his home and his livelihood. Although he tried to get better, he became caught in a cycle of brief recovery and relapse. But by this point he was struggling with homelessness and substance use. He suffered through four suicide attempts. 

      Thomas says the key to getting his life back was getting access to housing. “Once I had that housing, my life changed. Then I could focus on my recovery,” Thomas said.

      In this issue

      Ways to engage Healthier Washington

      Join the conversation


      Share your story

      Do you have a story that illustrates health systems transformation? We would love to hear it. Learn how to share your story.


      Become a volunteer Sentinel

      The Sentinel Network is currently recruiting volunteers from health care employers to help track Washington’s rapidly changing health workforce. Learn more.


      Upcoming meetings & webinars

      September 13:

      • Inland Northwest State of Reform Health Policy Conference. Learn more.

      September 19:

      • "The Courage 2 Care" at the Edge of Amazing, Snohomish County Health Summit. Learn more.

      September 25 & October 26:

      • Steering Toward Success: Achieving Value in Whole-Person Care. Learn More.

      October 18-19: 

      • Purchaser Conference and Healthier Washington Symposium. Learn more.