SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2395

BYRepresentatives Anderson, Brooks, Braddock, Moyer, Locke, Prentice, Jacobsen, Scott and Wineberry

Regarding reimbursement of nursing homes authorized to meet the needs of people with AIDS.

House Committe on Health Care

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators West, Chairman; Smith, Vice Chairman; Johnson, Kreidler, Niemi, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Don Sloma (786-7414)

                  February 21, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 2, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Fleming, Gaspard, Johnson, Lee, Newhouse, Niemi, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Susanne Windels (786-7715)

                  March 2, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, MARCH 2, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a condition in which the human immunodeficiency virus damages the cellular branch of the human immune or neurological systems and leaves the infected person unable to naturally ward off disease, and can also result in brain damage.  The advanced AIDS condition may require that the patient receive 24 hour nursing care.

Currently, the nursing home Medicaid reimbursement system limits the level of nursing staff based on a formula established by the Department of Social and Health Services.  The formula is specific to each nursing home and takes into consideration patient characteristics and previously used staffing levels.

Nursing staff refers to registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants.

Only one specialized AIDS nursing home pilot facility in our state has been granted a certificate of need.  Certificate of need is a review process conducted by the Department of Health to review the need for and approve the construction and modernization of nursing home facilities.

SUMMARY:

The limit of nursing staff in nursing homes is eliminated for any facility especially designed to meet the needs of persons living with AIDS.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

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

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT:

The striking amendment deletes the reference to removing the lid, and makes the exception to the reimbursement system specific to a particular facility.

Senate Committee - Testified: HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE:  Charles Reed, DSHS; Betsy Lieberman, AIDS Housing of Washington (pro); Chuck Hawley, Sisters of Providence (pro); Karen Tynes, WA Association of Homes for the Aging (pro)