State Regulatory

24 September

Long Term Care insurance available for WA veterinarians and employees through AVMA Life

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

For AVMA member veterinarians who have tried to secure long-term care insurance ahead of the state’s Nov. 1, 2021 deadline but have been unsuccessful can apply for insurance through AVMA Life. Veterinary employees are also eligible to be covered by the insurance through their employers. The deadline to opt out of the program has prompted a flood of applications for new plans, and it’s caused most private insurers in Washington to stop accepting new applications. The WSVMA reached out to...

Read More
17 September

Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference News – Board of Governors extends COVID-19 CE policy for non-live CE

wsvma   |   Continuing Education, COVID-19, State Regulatory, WSVMA News

At the start of the pandemic, the Veterinary Board of Governors approved the COVID-related policy allowing an unlimited number of non-live CE programs to count towards CE credit. At their Sept. 13, 2021 meeting, the Board approved a change to the policy that extends the allowance until 90 days after the Governor’s emergency order is rescinded. As you plan ahead to get your CE credits, consider attending the Pacific Northwest Veterinary Conference. Don’t miss out on 150+ hours of high-caliber veterinary...

Read More
17 September

Veterinary Board of Governors needs to fill two positions

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

The Department of Health, Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) is accepting applications to fill two veterinarian positions on the Veterinary Board of Governors, public-spirited people willing to study the issues and to make decisions in the public’s best interest. The Veterinary Board of Governors operates under legislative mandate to: Protect the health and safety of the public. Promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of health care providers under their authority. The Veterinary Board of Governors is...

Read More
03 September

VBOG reminder about temporary rules

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

As a reminder, the Veterinary Board of Governors has implemented two policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic. One relates to continuing education (CE), and the other applies to current regulations on the veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR). The CE policy allows unlimited online CE, which includes live webinars and preprogrammed education. The VCPR policy is effect through the duration of the declared emergency. This policy relaxes enforcement on the current requirement to establish a VCPR through a physical exam as well as...

Read More
20 August

New Washington mask mandate

wsvma   |   COVID-19, State Regulatory

This week, the Washington State Department of Health amended Order 20-03 requiring face masks for everyone over five years of age in most public indoor settings regardless of vaccination status. These include places like grocery stores, malls, gyms, and community centers. Masks are strongly recommended in crowded outdoor settings like sporting events, fairs, and concerts where physical distancing is not possible. The updated order goes into effect on Monday, Aug. 23. The order reflects the recommendations of all 35 local health officers...

Read More
13 August

Gov. Inslee’s vaccine mandate does not apply to veterinarians and their teams

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

Gov. Jay Inslee announced a requirement for workers in private health care and long-term care settings to be fully vaccinated with a recommended COVID-19 vaccine by October 18, 2021. The proclamation also includes most state workers, contractors, and volunteers. The governor’s Proclamation 21-14 COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement for health care workers does NOT apply to veterinary healthcare settings, animal care, and control agencies, or humane societies. However, as COVID-19 cases rise significantly across Washington, we hope that all members of the veterinary...

Read More
27 May

Washington’s new long-term care payroll tax is coming soon to: Important informational webinars offered

wsvma   |   Legislative, State Regulatory

Did you know that WA passed legislation and employees will pay a new payroll tax starting on Jan. 1, 2022, to fund a long-term care (LTC) trust? It is going to be funded by W-2 wage-earning employees, including practice owners. But will you benefit from your own contributions? A webinar featuring Dr. Darby Affeldt and Chris Sitek will discuss this and much more during this timely webinar. Topics they’ll cover include: The WA State Cares Fund Payroll deductions begin Jan....

Read More
30 April

Newly signed bill by Gov. Inslee amends definition of compounding

wsvma   |   Legislative, State Regulatory

Substitute House Bill 1445 (SHB 1445) amends the definition of compounding for the practice of pharmacy in RCW 18.64.011(6). The current definition of "compounding" includes simple processes, such as adding water to an antibiotic or for instance, adding saline to a COVID-19 vaccine. Neither the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nor the official United States Pharmacopeia (USP) considers those processes to constitute compounding. SHB 1445 changes the definition to: (6) "Compounding" means the act of combining two or more...

Read More
09 April

State legislative update

wsvma   |   State Regulatory

This issue of the State Legislative Update includes select summaries of bills and regulations introduced in March and tracked by the AVMA Division of State Advocacy. Bills abound on declaw bans, liability, and licensure. Enactments The North Dakota Veterinary Medical Association championed ND SB 2140 which waives repayment requirements for individuals participating in the Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP) in veterinary medicine who entered an agreement with the state board of higher education during the biennium beginning July 1, 2019, and ending...

Read More
02 April

Updated COVID-19 Reopening Guide for veterinary practices available now

wsvma   |   COVID-19, State Regulatory

In response to loosening restrictions, the WSVMA is releasing an updated version of COVID-19: A Guide to Reopening Veterinary Medicine in Washington – Phase 3 to give additional information for practices as more people become vaccinated and counties begin to allow more people to gather. The guide, written by well-known expert Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM in partnership with the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association, lays out a comprehensive plan to implement appropriate measures to continue ensuring the health and safety of both veterinary...

Read More