Dr. Chris Bundy, Executive Director of the Washington Physicians Health Program (WPHP), participated in the 2025 Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) Annual Legislative Summit, held at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia. This event serves as a critical platform for Washington’s medical community—physicians, physician assistants, residents, and medical students—to engage with state legislators and advocate for key healthcare priorities.

The Summit featured updates from healthcare policy leaders, insightful discussions on WSMA’s legislative agenda, and direct meetings between WSMA members and local legislators.

WSMA President, John Bramhall, MD, PhD, provided inspiring opening remarks, while WSMA’s government affairs team presented an in-depth look at the association’s legislative priorities for 2025. Representative Nicole Macri presented on the Medicaid Access Program and the state budget outlook. Kyle Karinen, Executive Director of the Washington Medical Commission, provided an update along with Commissioner Patty Kuderer, Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Three legislative priorities WSMA members were advocating for with their district legislators throughout the day were:

• Medicaid Access Program: Pass the Medicaid Access Program to promote access to care and fund needed investments in Washington state’s Medicaid program.
• Business of Medicine: Preserving Physician Autonomy and Independent Practice: Oppose proposals that risk physician practice viability and patient access to care. Support proposals that promote patient access to care and physician employment and practice autonomy.
• Scope of Practice: Oppose scope of practice proposal that ignore the unique training of physicians, fail to include necessary education and training requirements, and could jeopardize patient safety.

It was another successful WSMA Advocacy Day in Olympia! The Summit gave Washington’s physicians, physician assistants, residents, and medical students an opportunity to amplify advocacy message with state legislators.

Jennifer Hanscom, WSMA CEO, and Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FASAM

Bridget Bush, MD, WSMA President-Elect; John Bramhall, MD, PhD, WSMA President; and Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FASAM

Vivienne Meljen, MD, WSMA BOT, and Chris Bundy, MD, MPH, FASAM