Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Health Care & Wellness Committee |
HB 1631
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning planning measures to provide long-term care services and supports needs of the aging population.
Sponsors: Representatives Tharinger, Johnson, Green, Harris, Cody, Riccelli, Jinkins, Morrell, Appleton, Hope, Maxwell, Pollet, Moscoso, Santos and Ryu.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/12/13
Staff: Chris Blake (786-7392).
Background:
According to the Office of Financial Management's November 2012 Population Forecast there are currently approximately 830,000 people in Washington age 65 and over, or almost 14 percent of the population. By 2040 that number is estimated to reach 1,860,000, or 21 percent of the population.
There have been several legislative committees that have studied the long-term care system in the past. The most recent of these efforts was the Task Force on Long-Term Care Financing and Chronic Care Management (Task Force) which released its findings in January 2008. The Task Force's report established several policy goals and recommendations relating to advance planning and access to long-term care information, aging in place, support for informal caregivers, long-term care financing, chronic care, falls prevention, and health information technology.
Summary of Bill:
The Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Disability Issues (Committee) is established. The Committee is responsible for profiling Washington's current elderly and disabled population and its needs and establishing an inventory of the available services and supports. The Committee must also establish a profile of the state's elderly and disabled population in 2025 and its needs and develop an anticipated inventory of future services and supports that will be needed to support these populations. Lastly, the Committee must develop a strategy of actions that the state may take to prepare for future demographic trends of the elderly and disabled populations and build the capacity to meet their demands. Specifically, the strategy must identify:
statutory and regulatory changes to promote the efficient use of resources;
practices to promote the use of technology, chronic care management, and disability prevention programs;
caregiver supports;
specialized resources for populations with special needs; and
housing and transportation programs to help persons who are elderly or disabled to maintain their independence.
The Committee is comprised of nine members. The members include the chairs of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over long-term care policy, one additional member from each of the two largest caucuses of the Senate, one additional member from each of the two largest caucuses of the House of Representatives, one member appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the Secretary of the Department of Social and Health Services, and one member appointed by the Director of the Health Care Authority.
The Committee must report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the appropriate committees of the Legislature by December 10, 2014.
Legislative findings are made regarding the aging of Washington's population and the need to plan for the growth of the number of seniors and people with disabilities by growing the workforce, resources, and quality long-term care services and supports, as well as identifying alternative long-term care financing options.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 6, 2013.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.