HOUSE BILL REPORT

SHB 524

BYHouse Committee on Health Care (originally sponsored by Representatives Braddock, Lewis, Moyer, Kremen, Sprenkle, D. Sommers, Bumgarner, Spanel, Lux, Holm, P. King, Doty, Brough and Todd; by request of Department of Social and Health Services)

Modifying provisions relating to respite projects.

House Committe on Health Care

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

     Signed by Representatives Braddock, Chair; Day, Vice Chair; Bristow, Brooks, Bumgarner, Cantwell, Lux, D. Sommers, Sprenkle and Vekich.

House Staff:John Welsh (786-7133)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 13, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1984, the legislature authorized the Department of Social and Health Services to conduct up to three pilot projects, expiring on June 30, 1985, for demonstrating the effectiveness of providing respite care services for caretakers, such as family members and friends, who provide in-home care to elderly and disabled adults who would otherwise be institutionalized.

Providing periodic, brief breaks from the continuous and heavy demands of caring for their functionally disabled relatives and friends can deter not only burn-out for the caregiver, but premature nursing home placement and the potential for patient abuse.

Under current law, the caretakers, as well as the patients, are required to contribute on an ability to pay basis in the costs of the program.  Participating area agencies on aging are required to conduct cost benefit analyses of the respite care administration projects, and the department is required to survey public assistance recipients who avail themselves of these services.

A caregiver cannot receive more than 576 hours in more than 24 days of respite care services.

SUMMARY:

The provision of respite care services by area agencies on aging through three demonstration projects would be expanded state-wide until July 1, 1989.  The fiscal participation on a sliding-fee basis of the caretaker is eliminated.  The requirement of area agencies to make a cost benefit analysis of respite care services, and the requirement of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to survey public assistance recipients who used these services are both eliminated.  The chapter is not to be construed as creating an entitlement, and is made subject to availability and funds.  Eligibility for respite care services is to be determined by the department by rule.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

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

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Charles Reed, Department of Social and Health Services; Merriam Lathrop, Washington State Council on Aging; Josselyn Winslow, Alzheimer's Society of Washington; James Kizer, Alzheimer's Society of Washington; Gail Hiestman, Kitsap County Area Agency on Aging; Dewey Desler, Kitsap County Area Agency on Aging and Arnold Livingston, Senior Citizen's Lobby.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     The three pilot projects have demonstrated the value of providing respite care services, both in monetary savings and personal dignity.  An estimated 80 percent of disabled elderly depend on these caregivers to provide the help they need to remain in their homes.  Average monthly costs for respite services are approximately one-quarter of nursing home costs.  Most of these caregivers have significant physical and functional problems and reported stress, fatigue and emotional problems.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.