HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 3007
As Reported by House Committee On:
Health Care
Title: An act relating to home and community care services.
Brief Description: Allowing limited home care case management resources to be targeted to consumers in greatest need.
Sponsors: Representatives Cody and Skinner; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Health Care: 2/3/04, 2/5/04 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
• Authorizes the Department of Social and Health Services (Department) to contract for case management services from managed care organizations if an Area Agency on Aging is unwilling to enter into or satisfactorily complete a contract at an appropriate cost. |
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Benson, Clibborn, Darneille, Edwards, Moeller, Rodne and Schual-Berke.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Campbell and Skinner.
Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).
Background:
A recent workload study by Sterling and Associates found that each in-home client requires 30 hours of case management time every year. Current funding is insufficient to support this level of case management activity.
Summary of Substitute Bill:
The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) is authorized to contract for case management services from managed care organizations if an Area Agency on Aging is unwilling to enter into or satisfactorily complete a contract.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The ability to offer case management within funds appropriated specifically for that purpose is removed. The ability of the Department to contract with organizations other than Area Agencies on Aging over cost considerations is removed. The ability of the Department to limit coordination activities around a client's plan of care due to limited funding is removed.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) needs the ability to set priorities for case management if the Legislature does not appropriate sufficient funds. The Department needs greater flexibility in contracting for case management services.
Testimony Against: Case management is too important to a client's health and safety to prioritize away. Reducing case management could put clients at risk and increase liability claims against the Department.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Penny Black, Department of Social and Health Services.
(Opposed) Richard Dorsett, Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging; and David Rolf, Service Employees International Union Local 775.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.