HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5903

BYSenate Committee on Health Care & Corrections (originally sponsored by Senators Kreidler and Bauer)

Providing nursing home care for medically fragile children.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:  Do pass. (9)

      Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Brooks, Ranking Republican Member; Chandler, Morris, Prentice, Sommers, Sprenkle and Wolfe.

House Staff:Antonio Sanchez (786-7383)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 13, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Recent advances in medical technology have resulted in an ability to preserve the life of children with severe traumatic brain injuries or severe birth defects.  Some of these children are often medically fragile and require constant and intensive care beyond the level parents can provide.  Some are so profoundly impaired that they will probably never respond to rehabilitative treatment.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) provides services to medically fragile children and their families through the Division of Children, Youth and Family Services.  The department has the philosophy that medically fragile children should be retained in the home whenever possible.  Department services to these children and their families have focused on in- home services.

Placement of medically fragile children in inpatient skilled nursing care facilities occurs on a very limited basis and through an exception policy only.  The state's nursing homes and hospitals currently do not have special care units for these children, so children needing this level of care must leave the state.  Since the number of placements are low it is unlikely given current department policies that special units will be developed.

SUMMARY:

Intent language states that inpatient skilled nursing care placements for children with severe physical and mental disabilities should be part of the state's long-term care continuum.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is directed to develop a plan for providing inpatient skilled nursing care placements for medically fragile children.  The plan shall identify children in need of this level of care, facilities capable or willing to provide the care, proposed standards for the facilities, and federal funds available.  The department shall develop an implementation plan and schedule for providing such care.  A report with recommendations for legislation is due to the appropriate legislative committees by December 1, 1989.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Patricia Wilkins, Department of Social and Health Services; Michael Strub, Ashley House; Melissa Allen, St. Peter's Hospital and Russell Fink.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The comprehensive outlined plan is needed to provide the appropriate level and type of professional care needed by a growing number of heavy care medically fragile children and infants.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.