SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5436
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Health Care, February 10, 2015
Title: An act relating to continuing the work of the joint legislative executive committee on aging and disability.
Brief Description: Concerning the joint legislative executive committee on aging and disability.
Sponsors: Senators Bailey and Dammeier.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Health Care: 2/03/15, 2/10/15 [DPS, w/oRec].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE |
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5436 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Becker, Chair; Frockt, Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Bailey, Baumgartner, Brown, Cleveland, Conway, Jayapal, Keiser, Parlette and Rivers.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Dammeier, Vice Chair.
Staff: Kathleen Buchli (786-7488)
Background: The Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Disability Issues (Committee) was established in the 2013-15 operating budget. The Committee was charged with the responsibility to identify strategic actions to prepare for the aging of Washington's population by:
establishing a profile of Washington's older population and population with disabilities and a projection of those populations through 2030;
establishing an inventory of services and supports from health care and long-term services and supports;
identifying budget and policy options to effectively use public resources to reduce the growth rate in state expenditures compared to current policies;
identifying strategies to better serve the health care needs of the aging population and people with disabilities and promote healthy living;
identifying options for financing mechanisms for long-term care services and supports to promote additional private responsibility to meet needs for services;
identifying options to promote financial security in retirement, support people staying in the workforce, and expand the availability of workplace retirement savings plans; and
identifying options to help communities adapt to the aging demographic in planning for housing, land use, and transportation.
The Committee is comprised of four members of the Senate, four members of the House of Representatives, and four members of the Executive Branch.
During its two-year term, the Committee met seven times and studied several different issues, including those issues relating to healthy aging, workforce quality, protection from elder abuse, financial independence, existing services for the aging population, and an inventory of services available to the aging population. The Committee issued an interim report in December 2013, and a final report in December 2014. The final report contained many policy options for the Legislature to consider in the short and long term. One of those options was to continue the work of the Committee.
Summary of Bill (Recommended Substitute): The Committee is extended to 2017. Membership of the Committee consists of the following: four members of the Senate; four members of the House of Representatives; one member from the Governor's Office; the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services; the Director of the Health Care Authority; and the Director of the Department of Retirement Systems. The legislative members are voting members and the remaining members serve in an ex-officio capacity. The Committee retains the duties provided in the 2013-15 operating budget and does not have a reporting requirement.
EFFECT OF CHANGES MADE BY HEALTH CARE COMMITTEE (Recommended Substitute): Expires the Committee December 1, 2017.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: Yes.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on Original Bill: PRO: The Committee must continue its work; it just began to get up to speed and there is so much more work to do. The Committee has done a remarkable job of studying the issues and should continue its work.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Jerry Reilly, ElderCare Alliance; Dennis Mahar, Assn. of Area Agencies on Aging, Director; Mike Tucker, American Assn. of Retired Persons.