I am so grateful for every individual at UW Medicine — you are all, in some way, delivering daily on our mission.
We are here to improve the health of the public for all people.
I said in last week’s Town Hall that our mission will not change. I also said that how we meet our mission may need to shift. At this point, it is difficult to predict what will be necessary to ensure that UW Medicine is able to meet its mission over the next several years and into the future. We know that UW Medicine’s activities are imperative for the health of patients across our region and we seek to minimize necessary impacts so that UW Medicine can continue to do its important work. Like many universities across the country, we are working on mitigation plans to account for potential federal funding shortfalls. Our path also is compounded by anticipated state funding shortfalls. I will keep you apprised as we know more.
Here are this week’s updates:
- Research: We anticipate additional guidance next week from the Office of Research. We are still monitoring noncompeting renewals and new awards very closely. Please continue to report significant research impacts based on delays in review and awards to rgeadmin@uw.edu.
- Medicaid: We continue to work with UW leadership and congressional representatives to advocate for the protection of Medicaid funding. In Washington state, one out of four people are on Medicaid, and 34% of our Harborview patients are on Medicaid. The program is vitally important to the health of the public, and we are closely monitoring congressional budget talks. We are also watching for impacts to Medicare and other federal healthcare programs.
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI): I want to reiterate that there is no need to pre-emptively change EDI language and programming if it is already in line with the Program and Activities Checklist. UW Medicine is compliant with state and federal law and does not provide preferential treatment based on race or sex.
- Gender-Affirming Care: We have not changed our commitment to providing gender-affirming care and adhering to Washington state law. I recognize that some patients and employees within our community are feeling especially vulnerable. UW Medicine is committed to an environment in which everyone — of all identities — feels they belong and is valued. Please check in with each other. For employees needing support, please visit UW Medicine Well-Being and Support for resources from immediate crisis assistance to one-on-one conversations to well-being classes.
- Data Protection: We have received questions about patient and employee data protection. Our data security team protects our systems at all levels — from large data servers to laptops. We use industry best practices and a variety of cyber security partners to constantly stay current on vulnerabilities and necessary responses. We also have strict processes in place to protect data privacy related to record requests.
- Vaccines: The Food and Drug Administration recently cancelled a flu vaccine panel meeting. The purpose of this panel is to select the next season’s flu vaccine strains. We continue to monitor recommendations from our colleagues in public health and we support patient and healthcare worker access to vaccines, including those for influenza and COVID-19. Despite the recent cancellation, we do not anticipate any changes to our purchasing, access, or administration schedule for vaccines at this time.
Please remember to check the UW Medicine Federal Policy Updates site for updates in real time. As you have questions and comments, please submit them to the Federal Policy Updates Feedback Form. We are planning our next Town Hall and will let you know the date and time once it is set.
Thank you for standing with me and each other to support our community and health for all people.
Sincerely,
Timothy H. Dellit, MD (He, Him, His)
CEO, UW Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and
Paul G. Ramsey Endowed Dean of the School of Medicine,
University of Washington
