September 2022

Department of Health Releases Legislative Priorities 

The Washington State Department of Health has released i’s legislative priorities for 2023.  In these priorities are several items of interest to denturists, including: 

• $200 million to update public health data infrastructure and technology and enhancing preparedness for future public health emergencies 
• Updating current statutes to allow the Dental Quality Assurance Commission to issue license to faculty who are from out of state and teaching at all dental schools in the state.  Current statute limits to just those faculty at the University of Washington. 
• Changing the name of the Dental Quality Assurance Commission to just the Washington Dental Commission to mirror the Washington Medical Commission. 
• $900,000 to establish a State Dental Director in conjunction with the Health Care Authority to improve oral health and access to care. 

This last one will be something WDA will need to be involved with.  A State Dental Director should benefit denturists as part of the overall state oral health system.  We will be tracking and working on this during the session.  In addition, WDA will be participating in discussions with the Department of Health on all of these items. 

Employment Security Department Releases Proposed Rules for Required Standard Occupational Code Reporting 

HB 2308, passed in 2020, requires all employers to report on their employment security forms, the Standard Occupational Code (SOC) for all employees.  For denturists, this is a problem since there isn’t an SOC code specific to denturists.  Since this information will be used for workforce development programs and other state programs, the SOC will not adequately measure what is happening with denturists in the state.  This is especially concerning since the Employment Security Department (ESD)  is saying that denturists should report under the same code as prosthodontists – a totally different occupation in terms of training and scope. 

WDA will be commenting and following the rule-making process to make sure creates a better means of tracking SOCs for those occupations who do not have a specific code from the federal Department of Labor.  In the meantime, if you want to read the rules CLICK HERE.  If you have any concerns or questions, let Megan or Carolyn know. 

Washington Cares Act, the State’s Delayed Long-term Care Program, Under Scrutiny 

In a recent report, the Washington Policy Center (WPC) last month called the Washington Cares Act “insolvent, unfair and unnecessary,” and that the program should abandoned. 

The state long-term care program, passed by the Legislature in 2019, was slated to take effect this year. But after criticism that the program wasn’t ready and premiums would not cover the costs due to extensive opt-outs of the program, lawmakers delayed the tax collection for the program until 2023. 

WPC’s Health Care Director Elizabeth Hovde wrote the study and, in part, wrote that the extensive review of the program shows that the state’s cost savings will be miniscule compared to the tax rates Washingtonian would pay. 

The free-market think tank’s report points to many failures in the program, such as: 

• The WA Cares program is insolvent before it begins, facing a $15 billion shortfall. 
• Between 2022-2053, workers will pay more than $30 billion for the state to realize net savings of just over $1.2 billion, assuming administrative costs don't increase. 
• The regressive tax in the law means some low-income workers will be forced to hand over a portion of their income to benefit others with higher incomes. 
• It is likely the Employment Security Department will grant a monopoly to Service Employees International Union 775 (among the largest campaign donors in the state) to provide required training of family caregivers who could be obligated to pay them dues. 
• The lifetime benefit of $36,500 is highly unlikely to provide for most people's needs, making the state's promises of financial security and "peace of mind" both false and dangerous. 
• There is already legislative discussion that the 58-cent tax will need to increase or the benefit amount of $36,500 decrease to keep the program viable. 
• At its starting tax rate (already expected to increase), a worker earning $25,000 will pay $145 each year, a worker making $50,000 will pay $290, those making $100,000 will pay $580 and so on. 
• Private long-term-care plans typically start paying out when an elderly person needs help with two daily-life activities, while the state program will require a person to need help with at least three. 

The Center Square has the story. 

Act by Sept. 30 on Delinquent UI Tax Reports to Avoid Rate Increase 

The state Employment Security Department is reminding employers that rate increases for employers with unfiled Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax reports and payments reports and tax payments after the end of September will be met with rate increases in 2023. 

Employers with delinquencies are charged:  

• At least a one percentage point increase in their regular tax rate the first year they’re delinquent.   
• A two-percentage point increase if they’re late a second consecutive year.   
• The maximum shared-cost (social) tax rate.   

For employers who cannot pay the balance owed, there is an option for a deferred payment contract that will protect their rate. For more information on this option, email ESCtax@esd.wa.gov.  

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