SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5511

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, March 4, 2003

Title: An act relating to preventing increase in the regulatory costs on long-term care providers.

Brief Description: Preventing increase in the regulatory costs on long-term care providers.

Sponsors: Senators Deccio, Keiser, Parlette, Eide, West, Brandland, Carlson, Hale, Mulliken, Rasmussen and Winsley.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 2/6/03, 3/4/03 [DPS-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5511 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Deccio, Chair; Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser and Parlette.

Staff: Rhoda Donkin (786-7198)

Background: The Department of Social and Health Services regulates long-term care in nursing home facilities, boarding homes, and adult family homes. These facilities are also regulated by federal rules if they accept Medicare or Medicaid clients. Over the past five years, all three of these long-term care facilities have experienced increases in the number and scope of regulations which dictate who they can serve, the programs they offer, their employees' qualifications and training, the buildings they operate, and the way they administer their businesses. Increasingly, long-term care providers report that the cost of complying with new regulations exceeds the reimbursement they receive from the state and federal government.

Summary of Substitute Bill: No rule adopted after January 1, 2003, changing eligibility standards for adult day services may be implemented until the department has conducted a rate review of adult day services.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill prevented any new rule adopted after January 1, 2003, regulating nursing homes, boarding homes, adult family homes, and adult day services from being implemented until another rule of equal fiscal impact was rescinded. The substitute only refers to adult day services in language described in "Summary of Substitute Bill."

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 31, 2003.

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

Testimony For: New rules are driving up costs and the department continues to increase demands which are not paid for.

Testimony Against: There are sicker people in all these facilities and these rules reflect their needs and the input of providers.

Testified: PRO: Lauri St. Ours, Npr. ALFA; Glen Melin, Crista Shores; Harry Steinmetz, WAASA; Kathleen Moisio, Multi Care Adult Day Health; Annmarie Stewart, Washington Occupational Therapy Association; Lou-Ann Lauborough, caregiver; Joanne McMahon, Elder Health NW; Audry Woodin, WSRCC; Ravena Trimm, Adult Family Home Association; CON: Pat Lashway, DSHS; Kary Hyre, LTC Ombudsman; Bob Stremke, RCW.