Annette Cleveland — Chair Annette Cleveland opens the meeting and is addressed by speakers during their remarks. She thanks Caitlin for the information and notes for members that she will remain for the work session and that questions will be held until the end. Another speaker then greets Chair Cleveland and the committee as the discussion continues.
Annette Cleveland — Addressed as the chair of the committee.
Annette Cleveland — Thanked for keeping the issue top of mind over the past six years and addressed as Chair.
Annette Cleveland — Not mentioned in this section.
Caitlin Safford — Introduced as Senior Policy Advisor with the Office of Governor Ferguson and invited to begin the presentation.
Caitlin Safford — Introduces herself and explains her portfolio and role in responding to HR1.
Caitlin Safford — Caitlin concludes her opening remarks and is thanked by the chair.
Caitlin Safford — Referenced for making the key point about uncertainty in estimates.
Dr. Shrissa Fontnows — Introduced as Medicaid Director with the Washington State Health Care Authority.
Trinity Wilson — Introduced as Assistant Director for Medicaid eligibility with the Washington State Health Care Authority.
Trinity Wilson — Introduces herself and explains she will discuss the federal bill and CMS rules affecting Medicaid in Washington.
Trinity Wilson — Referenced as having discussed related work earlier.
Dr. Fatinos — Referenced as the person who will explain state-directed payments in more depth; likely a transcription error for the next speaker.
Sharisa Fettinos — Sharisa Fettinos introduced herself as the Medicaid and behavioral health medical director and then spoke personally as a primary care provider, expressing that the impacts of HR1 are deeply upsetting and concerning.
Trinity — Praised for doing a fantastic job on the review work.
Dr. Fontinos — Thanked for the presentation and acknowledged that more questions remain.
Jessica Bateman — Called on for questions and asked about Planned Parenthood funding restrictions.
Caitlin — Said the analysis has been underway and that they are hoping to have it shortly.
Caitlin — Agreed that the rural health fund is limited in duration and that every state is expected to receive some funding.
Caitlin — Added that the state uses the same eligibility platform for SNAP and Medicaid and is reviewing the work queue in ACEs.
Marcus Riccelli — Marcus Riccelli was recognized by the chair and then raised questions about the Apple Health/Medicaid labeling and, more substantively, about the work requirements reporting schedule—asking whether reporting would be monthly, every couple of months, or every six months. He was also referenced later in the same discussion about using existing systems for verification.
Marcus Riccelli — The speaker notes they are following Senator Marcus Riccelli’s advice by consistently saying "Apple Health Medicaid" rather than just "Apple Health," and then continues the same point in the context of Apple Health Medicaid reimbursement.
Marcus Riccelli — Credited with putting forward the clarification to say Apple Health Medicaid.
provider / community-based organization — Reported that some people believe they are on Apple Health rather than Medicaid, highlighting a lack of awareness.
Vandana Slatter — Senator Slatter thanked the presenters for their thorough presentation and then asked a couple of questions. In the follow-up exchange, she was directly addressed as the discussion continued on related issues, including rules and timelines.
Vandana Slatter — Thanked as the champion for this bill and for her guidance and support.
Micah Matthews — Micah Matthews is introduced as the Deputy Executive and Legislative Director with the Washington Medical Commission, then identifies himself for the record and begins the presentation to the committee. Shortly afterward, he is referenced as the person advancing the slides, indicating his ongoing role in supporting the same presentation.
Fatima Merza — Fatima Merza, the Washington Medical Commission’s Program Case Manager and facilitator of the work group, is introduced as part of the panel presenting the report and is identified as the person who will provide further detail on the implementation work group.
Mike Zimmer — Identified as a virtual panelist and Senior Policy Consultant with World Education Services.
Dr. Hank Chaudry — Introduced as President and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Javier Valdez — Thanked for keeping the issue top of mind over the past six years.
Javier Valdez — Not mentioned in this section.
Javier Valdez — No direct mention in this section.
Senator Saldana — Mentioned as one of the senators who kept the issue top of mind; likely a transcription error for a senator's name not in the expected list.
IMG — Defined as an international medical graduate in the speaker's usage.
SB5846 — Identified as the bill that created the first IMG work group to examine the Minnesota model.
Dr. Chowdhury — Referenced as likely using the term ITP to mean internationally trained physician.
HCA — Referenced as having just given a presentation about the stark realities facing the state.
Michael Zimmer — Michael Zimmer is introduced as the next presenter for the national perspective, then begins his remarks by thanking the committee and starting his presentation, including an introduction to WES.
World Education Services (WES) — Described as a nonprofit social enterprise working with states on career pathways for previously licensed immigrants.
Dr. Chaudry — The speaker references Dr. Chaudry as part of agreeing with panelists and then explicitly says they will use Dr. Chaudry’s term when discussing internationally trained physicians, showing a continued reliance on Dr. Chaudry’s terminology in the same line of discussion.
IMG/ITP legislation — Referenced as having been adopted in variations by 20 states.
Mr. Zimmer — Mr. Zimmer provided background context before Dr. Chowdrey's remarks and indicated he was available to take questions either immediately or at the end of the discussion.
Dr. Hank Chowdrey (transcript also says Chandra/Chaudry) — Introduced as joining virtually and beginning his testimony as President and CEO of the Federation of State Medical Boards.
Mr. Matthews — Credited for providing context and background before Dr. Chowdrey's remarks.
Dr. Hank Chowdrey — Continued his testimony, describing a map of states with additional licensing pathways.
Dr. Shadri — The speaker thanked Dr. Shadri for the presentation and time.
Fatima Mirzaa / Fatma — Introduced as the final presenter and identified herself as facilitating the IMG implementation workgroup since 2023.
HB1129 — The bill created the clinical experience license for eligible IMGs.
SB5118 — The bill updated the clinical experience license statute and added a hardship waiver process.