BILL REQ. #:  H-4242.2 



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HOUSE BILL 2938
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State of Washington58th Legislature2004 Regular Session

By Representatives Bailey, Cody, Morrell, Clibborn, Schindler, Armstrong, Woods, Schual-Berke, O'Brien, McDonald, Edwards, Wallace, Conway and Kagi

Read first time 01/23/2004.   Referred to Committee on Health Care.



     AN ACT Relating to long-term care financing; adding a new section to chapter 74.39A RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that, to the extent possible, citizens should take personal responsibility for themselves as they prepare for their care needs as senior citizens. The legislature intends to encourage citizens to plan ahead for long-term care with financial planning tools designed to protect against this financial risk. The legislature finds that the publically funded safety net should be targeted to those individuals it is intended to serve.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The secretary of the department of social and health services shall contract for a long-term care financing study by an independent consulting firm. The study shall review the existing financing mechanisms and incentives for utilizing and purchasing long-term care services in Washington and make recommendations to improve access and quality in all long-term care settings. The department shall present the study's findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives no later than October 1, 2005.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 74.39A RCW to read as follows:
     The department is directed to establish an information and referral process, for people seeking medical assistance for long-term care services who appear to have sufficient assets in the form of a home, to financial institutions that can arrange a home equity conversion mortgage designed by the United States department of housing and urban development and insured by the federal housing administration.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.

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