BILL REQ. #:  H-3762.1 

Read first time 01/30/14.   Referred to Committee on Appropriations.

     AN ACT Relating to refinancing of medicaid personal care services for individuals with developmental disabilities and individuals with long-term care needs through the community first choice option; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the July 31, 2013, state auditor's report on developmental disabilities in Washington indicates that fifteen thousand individuals with developmental disabilities who meet the financial and physical eligibility requirements do not currently receive any services from the state. For that reason, the legislature finds that it is necessary to take action that will increase the number of eligible individuals who may access personal care services.
     (2) The legislature further finds that personal care services allow individuals with significant care needs to live in their own homes and communities. By utilizing the community first choice option, an enhanced federal matching percentage would increase the funding available for these services. Further, the community first choice option may increase the self-sufficiency of clients by emphasizing the acquisition, maintenance, and enhancement of skills to complete health-related tasks. For these reasons, the legislature finds that the department of social and health services must refinance personal care services through the community first choice option.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The department of social and health services shall refinance medicaid personal care services under the community first choice option. Beginning July 1, 2014, the department shall seek stakeholder input on program and system design prior to the submission of a proposal to the center for medicaid and medicare services. The community first choice option must be fully implemented no later than June 30, 2016.