Title: An act relating to the joint legislative audit and review committee performance reviews of the home care quality authority.

Brief Description: Concerning the joint legislative audit and review committee performance reviews of the home care quality authority.

Sponsors: By Representatives Hunter, Alexander, Schual-Berke, Cody, Kenney and Kelley.

Brief History:

Health Care & Wellness: 2/26/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/6/07, 96-0.

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/7/08, 94-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 13 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Morrell, Vice Chair; Hinkle, Ranking Minority Member; Alexander, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Barlow, Campbell, Condotta, Curtis, Green, Moeller, Pedersen, Schual-Berke and Seaquist.

Staff: Chris Cordes (786-7103).

Background:

In November 2001 the voters enacted Initiative Measure No. 775 (I-775), which created the Home Care Quality Authority (HCQA) as an agency of state government. The HCQA provides oversight of home care services provided by individual providers, also known as home care workers. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) contracts with home care workers to provide long-term care services for elderly and disabled clients who are eligible for Medicaid and developmental disabilities programs. The home care workers provide the DSHS's clients with personal care assistance for various tasks such as toileting, bathing, dressing, ambulating, meal preparation, and household chores. These home care workers are hired and fired by the consumer client, but are paid by the DSHS.

The HCQA has, among its duties, responsibility for establishing qualifications and accountability standards for, and investigating the background of, home care workers. It also recruits new home care workers, provides them with training opportunities, and administers a referral registry to help consumers find a home care worker.

When I-775 was enacted, it included a requirement for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a performance review of the HCQA every two years to be submitted to the Legislature and the Governor. The review includes:

• an evaluation of the health, and the satisfaction with services provided, of consumers receiving long-term care from home care workers;
• an explanation of the full cost of home care provider services, including administrative costs and payroll taxes related to home care workers; and
• recommendations that will ensure the well-being of consumers and the most efficient means of delivering the required services.

The first review was submitted on January 4, 2007.

Summary of Bill:

The requirement for the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to conduct a performance review of the HCQA is limited to two reviews, with the second review submitted to the Legislature and the Governor by December 1, 2009. The second review will assess the services provided by the HCQA to meet its statutory duties and any other questions required by the Legislature.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This agency only has four employees. A review of the agency every two years is not needed.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Hunter, prime sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.