WHCA Capitol Update | April 17, 2023

April 17, 2023

Today is day 99 of the 105-day session. While the Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 23, it cannot do so without passing the state operating budget for 2023-25. Both the House and Senate have passed budget proposals. We appreciate that both make important investments in skilled nursing, assisted living, and enhanced services facilities, but also have reminded legislators that the details matter. While the Senate budget is better for base skilled nursing facility Medicaid funding, in large part, the details in the House budget are more favorable for our members serving state Medicaid clients.

These are the priorities for the final state operating budget. We have communicated these priorities to budget leaders both directly, and with joint letters from coalition partners including LeadingAge and SEIU 775. We have worked with many of you to drive direct email messages and telephone calls to your legislators’ offices. Thank you for your strong advocacy efforts.

With just six days left, there are still steps remaining in the process. No doubt there will be complications in adopting a final budget plan. The Senate has not concurred with the House budget, so a conference committee has been appointed to negotiate with the yet-to-be appointed House budget conferees. Once budget negotiators reach agreement, the full House and Senate will vote on the final proposal.

See the King 5 story detailing some of the outstanding issues for state legislators.

Once the legislature passes a final conference budget, it will go to Governor Inslee’s desk where he will have 30 days to approve or veto items in the budget. Thank you for your efforts—we will provide a report on the final conference budget as soon as we know budget numbers.

Nursing Pool Transparency Legislation Signed by Governor

On April 14, Governor Jay Inslee signed SB 5547, legislation to establish standards for nurse staffing agencies operating in Washington. The bill, sponsored by Senator June Robinson (D-38), establishes registration and reporting requirements, such as county-based cost reporting requirements including average amount charged and paid for health care or LTC personnel by licensing type; average amount of labor-related costs; number of placements within 25 to 50 miles of the health care personnel’s residence, and total placements. The Department of Health (DOH) is required to provide an annual report, available on the DOH’s website, that will include the county-specific information described above.

The legislation also requires the staffing agency to document that their referred workers meet state licensing, certification, and health and continuing education requirements for filled positions. Finally, SB 5547 requires nurse staffing agencies to provide written notice, at least 90 days in advance, of contract changes, including availability or charges for services, items, or activities. We will work closely with the DOH on implementation of these standards, which go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

Policy Round-Up

Here’s the latest on priority policy legislation for our members.

Annual Convention and Beyond

Whether through email, written letters, phone calls or testimony in legislative committees, we appreciate your work to educate the legislators representing you in Olympia and we hope to grow those efforts in subsequent legislative relations efforts in the interim. I hope we can plan on seeing you in Tacoma for the WHCA Annual Convention. Our WHCA legislative team will provide a legislative synopsis on May 24, from 11 am until 12 noon at the Tacoma Marriott Downtown. I hope to see you there.