Title: An act relating to home and community services' case management responsibilities.

Brief Description: Concerning home and community services' case management responsibilities.

Sponsors: Representatives Appleton, Bailey and Cody; by request of Department of Social and Health Services.

Brief History:

Health Care: 2/3/05, 2/11/05 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Bailey, Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Clibborn, Green, Hinkle, Lantz, Moeller and Schual-Berke.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Curtis, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Condotta and Skinner.

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

Area Agencies on Aging provide case management services to clients who are eligible to receive home and community services.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) is authorized to contract with alternative delivery systems to provide case management services to clients. In contracting for the delivery of case management services, the Department may limit the responsibility of Area Agencies on Aging to reassessing and reauthorizing services. The Department will determine the services to be included in an alternative delivery system prior to implementation, and evaluate the effectiveness and cost of the program.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill adds the requirement that the Department compare the costs of providing services through the area agencies on aging and the alternative delivery system, determine which services will be delivered through the alternative delivery system, and evaluate the program.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Department believes services can be improved and costs controlled through competition in providing case management services.

Testimony Against: The Department has not justified their proposal to contract for case management services on either quality or cost. The area agencies on aging should continue to perform this function.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Penny Black, Department of Social and Health Services, Aging and Disability Services Administration.

(Opposed) Pam Piering, Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Seattle Human Services Department; and Mike Manley, Snohomish County Human Services Department.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.