S-0547.3                   _______________________________________________

                                                     SENATE BILL 5593

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By Senators Owen, Moyer, Moore, Prentice, McAuliffe, Prince, Pelz, Fraser, L. Smith, Winsley, Franklin and Sheldon

Read first time 02/04/93.  Referred to Committee on Health & Human Services.

Requiring financial assistance to nursing home eligible persons who reside with relatives.

          AN ACT Relating to nursing home assistance; adding new sections to chapter 74.09 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that the family is the main unit for support of the individual family members.  The legislature finds that a number of residents living in nursing homes in the state of Washington are supported through medicaid.  Some of the nursing home residents could be provided for in the homes of family members if the state would provide appropriate financial assistance.  The legislature further finds that family members are often willing to live with and take care of those who might otherwise need to live in a nursing home, but the family is unable to bear the financial burden.  It may frequently be less expensive to support a family member in the family home than to provide a nursing home bed.  It is the intent of the legislature to help support families in their desire to stay together when the cost of nursing and medical care might otherwise prevent it.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:

          A person who is eligible for nursing home assistance under this chapter, but who resides with a relative is eligible to receive reimbursement for equivalent care provided in the home pursuant to rules established by the secretary.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 74.09 RCW to read as follows:

          The secretary shall develop rules that address quality assurance, fiscal accountability, and evidence that the medical care of eligible recipients is being provided by appropriate health care professionals.

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