Brief Description: Establishing a joint legislative and executive task force on long-term care financing and chronic care management.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Health & Long-Term Care (originally sponsored by Senators Poulsen, Keiser, Pflug, Fraser, Shin, Haugen, Franklin, Parlette, Rasmussen, McAuliffe and Kohl-Welles; by request of Governor Gregoire).

Hearing Date: 3/24/05

Staff: Dave Knutson (786-7146).

Background:

People with functional disabilities who cannot complete activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, dressing, taking medications, and the use of bathroom facilities, need long-term care services. Most Americans do not purchase long-term care insurance to finance the care they may need when they are elderly or infirm. As the baby boom generation begins their retirement years, a large number of seniors will need professional care for at least part of their day. Individuals who need long-term care must purchase separate insurance, pay out-of-pocket, or have an income level that qualifies for Medicaid.

Summary of Bill:

An eight member Joint Legislative and Executive Task Force on Long-term Care Financing and Chronic Care Management (Task Force) is created. The Task Force includes the Secretaries of the Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services. The Task Force must develop recommendations about public and private mechanisms for financing long-term care, particularly in rural communities. Additionally, the Task Force must focus on disability prevention interventions and chronic care management that can reduce the need for long-term care. The Task Force will also review the need to add additional capacity to the long-term care system and review laws and rules for possible elimination. The Task Force must report on its progress in three phases: an initial report to be completed no later than January 1, 2006; a report of recommendations no later than January 1, 2007; and a final report no later than June 30, 2007.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.