HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 2810

             As Reported By House Committee on:

                         Health Care

Title:  An act relating to the nursing home advisory council.

Brief Description:  Repealing the termination provisions for the nursing home advisory council.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Cantwell, Moyer, Braddock, Sprenkle, Paris and D. Sommers.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Health Care, February 6, 1992, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Moyer, Ranking Minority Member; Casada, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cantwell; Edmondson; Morris; Paris; Prentice; and Sprenkle.

Staff:  Antonio Sanchez (786-7383).

Background:  The Nursing Home Advisory Council was established by law in 1983.  The purpose of the council is to consult with the Legislature and the Department of Social and Health Services in all matters concerning policy, rules, and standards affecting the administration of nursing homes.  The council is made up of 11 members representing the nursing home industry and the general public.

The Nursing Home Advisory Council was scheduled for elimination by sunset in 1987 and in 1989, however, in both cases the sunset was repealed.  The council is again scheduled to sunset in 1992.

Summary of Bill:  The sunset dates of the Nursing Home Advisory Council are repealed and the council is continued.

Fiscal Note:  Requested February 7, 1992.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The advisory council is needed to assist in the appropriate development of nursing home policies.

Testimony Against:  Lack of funds to pay for transportation of members make operations difficult.

Witnesses:  Hilke Faber, Washington State Nursing Home Resident Councils (pro); Evan Iverson, Senior Lobby (pro); Cathy Wiggins, Department of Social and Health Services (con); and Jerry Reilly, Washington Health Care Association (pro).