HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2760

BYRepresentatives Day, D. Sommers, Rector, Braddock, Dellwo, Peery, Kremen, Jones, Crane, Doty, Kirby, Wineberry, Schoon and Todd

Concerning the long-term care ombudsman program.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Chair; Cantwell, Chandler, Morris, Prentice, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Vekich and Wolfe.

House Staff:Antonio Sanchez (786-7383)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE FEBRUARY 1, 1990

BACKGROUND:

In 1988, the state long-term care ombudsman program was moved by statute, from the Department of Social and Health Services to the Department of Community Development.  Under this new reorganization, the administrative structure of the program was changed to a contractual arrangement with a private, non-profit organization.  On July 1, 1989, after a competitive bid process, the contract was awarded to the Community Action Agencies Network, with South King County Multi-Service Center as the coordinating agency. In an attempt to provide ombudsman services statewide, two primary service sites were developed, one in Walla Walla and the other in South King County. In addition, a toll-free hotline and a travel support system was implemented.

Under the current funding arrangement for this program, the ability to provide effective local responsiveness to complaints has been questioned by several advocacy groups.  Currently, funding for the program comes from federal dollars under the Older Americans Act ($45,000 annually) and state funding ($189,672 annually).

SUMMARY:

Four additional ombudsman service sites are established.  The service sites are required to conduct in-person complaint resolution for long-term care residents, recruitment, training and support for ombudsman volunteers, and long-term care consumer education.  Recruitment and training of volunteers is expanded. In addition, legal assistance for long-term care residents and the ombudsman program are expanded.  The state long-term care ombudsman is required to conduct an annual state wide ombudsman conference.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 23, 1990.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Ruben Mehl; Hilke Faber, Washington State Nursing Homes; Karen Tynes; Dennis Mahar; Irene Robbins; Jack Hilyer, AARP; Deanna Decomas and Kerry Hyer; Warren Easterly; Evan Iverson, Senior Lobby.

House Committee - Testified Against:      No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Additional ombudsman service sites will provide local staff necessary to equalize the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of the program throughout the state, and to more thoroughly follow up on the complaints of residents or other concerned individuals.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None.