Hidden Allegations: Washington State Fails to Alert Public About Misconduct-Accused Doctors
Washington state law mandates public alerts for doctor misconduct, yet investigations reveal massive delays, leaving patients unaware of serious allegations.
Failing the Transparency Mandate
Washington state holds a unique position in the American healthcare landscape: it is the only state that legally requires regulators to proactively issue press releases whenever formal allegations of misconduct are filed against a physician. Despite this progressive legislative framework, a joint investigation by KUOW and ProPublica reveals that the Washington Medical Commission is failing to meet its statutory obligations. Instead of timely alerts, the state frequently allows months to pass without notifying the public of serious accusations, even when doctors continue to treat patients throughout the pendency of their cases.
The Silent Threat of Unchecked Providers
The human cost of this administrative inertia is stark. Consider the case of Dr. Brooks Watson, a physician in Richland, Washington. The state medical commission filed a statement of charges on August 19, 2025, accusing Watson of a series of disturbing sexual encounters with five coworkers, including nonconsensual touching and sexual assault. Despite the gravity of these claims, the commission remained silent for over nine months, failing to issue any public announcement. During this period, Watson retained his medical license, and no final decision was reached regarding his ability to practice.
Similarly, the case of Dr. Mark Mulholland highlights the dangers of these delays. Mulholland, an ob/gyn in eastern Washington, faced accusations of performing irregular pelvic exams and making inappropriate comments. Following the filing of charges, he continued to see patients, at least one of whom later filed a lawsuit alleging abuse occurred during the window when the commission had already filed charges but failed to inform the public. To date, over 80 lawsuits have been filed against Mulholland and his former employers.
Systemic Lapses in Notification
The commission’s standard for notification has often devolved into a passive, subscriber-only email list that provides minimal details and excludes descriptions of the actual charges. Data indicates that at least 269 days passed recently without a single email announcement regarding new charges. When questioned about these lapses, the commission claimed it intends to modernize its practices. On May 29, the same day it addressed the inquiry, the agency sent out four notices, marking the first such update since June 2025.
State Representative Gerry Pollet, a vocal advocate for medical accountability, argues that the current behavior is a clear violation of legislative intent. He asserts that the law mandates quick notification via news releases, not obscure listservs that hide information from the public. Pollet is now pushing for potential budgetary interventions to ensure the commission adheres to the law.
Recent Developments
Washington state is currently under fire as lawmakers demand immediate oversight regarding how the medical commission handles breaking news about physician misconduct. These latest updates suggest that the agency is under intense pressure to reform its notification protocols to ensure public safety in live news scenarios. You can follow all developments instantly on MedicareTicker.com.
Related Topics
🔹 Medical Licensing 🔹 Healthcare Accountability 🔹 Patient Safety 🔹 Washington State Policy 🔹 Physician Misconduct 🔹 Regulatory Transparency
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Washington state's notification process considered problematic?
Although state law requires proactive press releases for doctor misconduct, the medical commission often delays these notices for months or fails to issue them entirely. This leaves patients unaware that their doctors are facing serious allegations while they continue to practice.
Does the medical commission notify the public about all charges?
No. The investigation found that the commission often skips formal press releases, opting instead for minimal details in sporadic, subscriber-only emails. In several instances, no public notification was issued until after the disciplinary case was already resolved.
What are the consequences for doctors who are charged?
In many cases, doctors accused of misconduct retain their unrestricted licenses while their cases proceed. Without public notification, patients may continue to visit these providers, unaware of the serious allegations of unprofessional conduct or abuse currently under investigation.