The 2022 legislative session is coming to a close soon; the last day is March 10th. While we anxiously await the release of the final budget, legislators are hurrying to pass bills by today’s final cutoff. The final budget will likely be released early next week so it has time to pass out of both chambers before the 10th. After 5 pm today, bills that have not passed out of the opposite house will be dead unless they are deemed necessary to implement the budget.
We ask that you continue to message both the House and the Senate as they are in budget negotiations. As a reminder, we need the Senate to match the higher funding levels of the House, and we are also thanking the House for their historic investments in long-term care so they realize how important their budget is in supporting assisted living and skilled nursing facilities throughout the state.
Please also see LeadingAge Washington’s response to President Biden’s plan to improve quality in nursing homes and why adequate Medicaid funding is imperative if we are to advance improvements in staffing and quality.
Bills to monitor impacting LTC
Support
HB 1124 - Concerning nurse delegation of glucose monitoring, glucose testing, and insulin injections. This bill unanimously passed out of the Senate and will now go to the Governor to be signed into law.
Oppose/ Concerns
HB 1868- Improving worker safety and patient care in health care facilities by addressing staffing needs, overtime, meal and rest breaks, and enforcement. While this bill was scheduled for executive action in the Senate Ways & Means Committee, it was ultimately pulled, and no action was taken. It’s unlikely this bill will move now, but it is possible it could be deemed NTIB. By not passing this bill, legislators are acknowledging now is not the time to implement staffing ratios until we can grow our workforce.
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