SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6460

BYSenators Niemi, Wojahn, West, Moore and Rasmussen

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

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 5, 1990

Senate Staff:Susanne Windels (786-7715)

AS OF FEBRUARY 7, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, is a condition in which the human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, damages the cellular branch of the human immune or neurological systems and leaves the infected person unable to naturally ward off disease or could additionally result in brain damage.  The advanced AIDS condition may require that the patient receive 24-hour nursing care.  This type and level of specialized care is not currently being offered in a nursing home environment.  The high intensity level of medical and social support needed by the AIDS patient, coupled with the infectious nature of this disease, require that a carefully planned and supportive care environment be provided for these nontraditional nursing home residents.  In order to support the AIDS resident in a nursing home environment, the number of nursing staff available in the nursing home should reflect the unique conditions of the highly dependent and medically fragile AIDS resident.

Currently, the nursing home Medicaid rate system limits the level of nursing staff hours eligible for reimbursement 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.

Senate Committee - Testified: Charles Reed, Assistant Secretary, DSHS; Betsy Liberman, AIDS Housing of Washington; Chuck Hawley, Director, Long-Term Care, Sisters of Providence