Tag Archives: Senate Health Care Committee

Governor signs Rivers bill to expand telemedicine access

OLYMPIA… Sen. Ann Rivers’ legislation to allow even more telemedicine consultations throughout Washington was signed today at a state Capitol ceremony. Senate Bill 5423 was passed unanimously by the Senate and the House of Representatives during the 2021 legislative session, which ended April 25.

“For years, Republicans have worked to expand access to health care for all of Washington by harnessing the reach and convenience of telemedicine. This new policy will build on that foundation by allowing licensed practitioners from out-of-state to consult with Washington-licensed practitioners when diagnosing or treating patients in our state,” said Rivers, a member of the Senate health-care committee.

“To me it’s a convenient way to bring in outside medical expertise,” she said, “and this piece of legislation is so appropriate for 2021, considering how many things are being done ‘virtually’ these days.”

The new law will take effect July 25.

Gov. Jay Inslee signs SB 5423 on May 10 at the state Capitol.

Rivers returns to legislative committee on transportation, adds health-care policy committee

When the 2015 legislative session convenes in January, Sen. Ann Rivers’ list of Senate-committee assignments will climb to four: Early Learning and K-12 Education, Rules, Health Care and Transportation.

“I’m so honored that my colleagues have entrusted me with such important committee assignments,” said Rivers, R-La Center. “This will put me front and center on the biggest issues facing Washington residents and my neighbors.

“Southwest Washington’s transportation needs are even more significant now than they were when I served on the transportation committee in the House of Representatives. I asked to be appointed to the Senate Transportation Committee to make sure there is a constructive voice speaking for Clark County,” said Rivers.

Serving on the Senate Health Care Committee also will be a new experience for Rivers, although she is already accomplished at working on health-care issues as a lawmaker.

“Last session my grace-period bill, Senate Bill 6016, was seen as key legislation by physicians around Washington. The passage of the Affordable Care Act and development of the health-care exchange in our state has presented lawmakers with a unique set of challenges. I want to make sure that the real people who are affected by these sweeping reforms are taken care of. Being a member of this committee will put me in the perfect place to do just that,” said Rivers.

Rivers has been a member of the Early Leaning and K-12 Education and Rules Committees for two years, and will retain those assignments.

The upcoming legislative session will begin Jan. 12 and is scheduled to last 105 days.

Rivers’ medical-marijuana bill clears Senate budget committee

The medical-marijuana market in Washington is a step closer to being in line with federal standards after the Senate Ways and Means Committee approved Sen. Ann Rivers’ measure Thursday.

Voters authorized the medical use of cannabis in 1998 with few sideboards; however, the approval of Initiative 502 in 2013 muddied the waters, according to Rivers, noting the U.S. Justice Department issued not one but eight standards to protect against the potential risks of an unregulated Schedule I controlled substance such as marijuana.

“The bill originated out of a concern for patient safety,” said Rivers, R-La Center. “I wanted to get the conversation started last year, but now it’s time to reconcile the two initiatives for medical and recreational cannabis use – especially before the recreational-marijuana retail stores open up, which could be as early as June in Clark County.

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