SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 2810

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE,

                               FEBRUARY 24, 1992

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

SPONSORS: Representatives Cantwell, Moyer, Braddock, Sprenkle, Paris and D. Sommers

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG‑TERM CARE

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; L. Smith, Vice Chairman; M. Kreidler, Niemi, Sumner, and Wojahn.

Staff:  Sarena Seifer (786‑7417)

Hearing Dates: February 24, 1992

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 (DSHS) 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, the state medical and nursing associations, 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Advisory Council was scheduled for elimination by sunset in 1987 and in 1989; however, in both cases the sunset was repealed.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:

The sunset dates of the Nursing Home Advisory Council are repealed and the council is continued.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

The advisory council is needed to assist DSHS in developing nursing home policies.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:

The advisory council should represent all long-term care facilities, and should have more consumer representation.  The DSHS budget does not include funding for the program.

TESTIFIED:  Hilke Faber, WA State Nursing Home Resident Councils (pro); Pat Lashway, DSHS (con); Kary Hyre, Long-Term Care Ombudsman (pro); Scott Sigman, WA Health Care Assn. (pro)