SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6466

As Passed Senate, February 13, 2004

Title: An act relating to the admission of residents to nursing facilities.

Brief Description: Regarding the admission of residents to nursing facilities.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senator Fairley).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/3/04, 2/4/04 [DPS].

Passed Senate: 2/13/04, 48-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6466 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser, Parlette and Thibaudeau.

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: The expansion of opportunities in the long-term care industry has resulted in companies that offer residents the spectrum of living arrangements, from the independent continuing care retirement communities (CCRC), to assisted living, to nursing homes, often on the same campus, or the same neighborhood. The arrangements provide residents with the security they will be able to transfer to the more intensive care situation as they need it. There is concern that residents who need to leave their CCRC or assisted living situation because of a sudden decline in their health are not able to go to the head of the waiting list for admission to the nursing facility under the same ownership.

Summary of Bill: Nursing facilities under common ownership with boarding homes or independent housing are not required to place the names of applicants from those facilities on the same waiting list as outside applicants for their nursing facility placements. Denying admission to an outside applicant is not considered discrimination if it is done to accommodate someone from a commonly owned boarding home or CCRC.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For: This will allow a continuum of care for residents of facilities under common ownership.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Dels Murphy, WAHSA (pro).

House Amendment(s): Nursing facilities must readmit residents who have been hospitalized or on therapeutic leave if the resident requires services provided by the facility and the resident is eligible for Medicaid facility services.