WHA’s Physician Leaders Council met on Dec. 14 and discussed several topics, including ongoing workforce challenges, post-acute and guardianship issues, updates on physician assistant and chaperone rulemaking, and registration for the March 2023 WHA Physician Leadership Development Conference.
Workforce Challenges and Advocacy
Made up of chief medical officers and other senior physician leaders at WHA member organizations, the council raised and discussed current and continuing staffing challenges and trends in their organizations. WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical practice Ann Zenk led a conversation with the Council regarding barriers to timely licensure for physicians and other health care professionals and potential reforms that may break down obstacles to entry for health care workers in Wisconsin.
Zenk was appointed to serve as one of only two health care members and one of only five public members of the
Legislative Council Study Committee on Occupational Licenses, and she reviewed status of several WHA proposals considered by the Committee. Zenk also discussed the status of Wisconsin’s graduate medical education grant program and potential changes to make that program more sustainable.
Post-Acute and Guardianship Challenges and Advocacy
WHA Policy Counsel Laura Leitch led a discussion of WHA advocacy relating to guardianship and other current administrative obstacles that can cause significant delays in care transitions from acute to post-acute care. Leitch highlighted worsening trends in the ability to discharge patients to lower acuity, more appropriate care settings, with recent data indicating that delays in care transitions are resulting in at least 350 to400 patients awaiting discharge from hospitals each day.
Rulemaking Updates
WHA General Counsel Matthew Stanford provided the council with an update on permanent licensure rulemaking for physician assistants as well as the latest developments regarding physician chaperone rulemaking. Stanford indicated that both rules were on a path towards final approval that includes clarifying language recommended by WHA reflecting input previously provided by the council. Stanford said that pending expected final approval by the respective boards this month, the rules are expected to become final in spring 2023. WHA will provide webinar education on both final rules in 2023.
WHA Physician Leadership Development Conference
The 2023 WHA Physician Leadership Development Conference is now
open for registration. It is scheduled for March 10-11, 2023, and will return to the American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin. The council reviewed the agenda, speakers and registration. After a three-year hiatus due to COVID, the conference at the American Club once again creates an opportunity for administrators and their physician leadership teams to gather and connect at this important annual WHA in-person conference. To register and view the agenda, click
here.