Oppose Proposed Medicaid Cuts to Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing
Earlier this week, we reached out to ask you to tell the Governor and your legislators to say NO to the Department's budget proposal. Together we have generated nearly 900 emails to the Legislature and the Governor’s office. Thank you for your advocacy!

The Office of Financial Management had tasked DSHS with completing this cruel budget exercise. This budget proposal is just the beginning of the drafting process of the state's 2021-2023 operating budget. From here, OFM will draft and submit a plan for the Governor’s consideration. 

We must keep up the pressure on our Governor and state legislators. They must understand that the plan would reduce critical services to those most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic—older Washingtonians who have chronic health conditions and who rely on long term care services and supports.

The cuts to Medicaid are over $480 million for nursing homes and $80 million for assisted living for the 2021-2023 biennium.

ACT NOW to oppose cuts proposals to OFM

We must do better for those people who rely on the Medicaid program for long term care. 
Amplify the Message (SNF Links)
Your continued advocacy is critical. Raise awareness on social media: Please share the campaign on your social media accounts. Here is a sample post you can use:
 
Facebook: DSHS was tasked by the Office of Financial Management with completing a cruel budget exercise that would impact thousands of vulnerable Washingtonians who receive and deliver long term care services and supports. In total, cuts of over $480 million are contemplated for state nursing homes over the 2021-2023 biennium. Let your legislators and Governor Inslee know these cuts come at a human cost and that the funding must not be cut as it is essential to fight this deadly virus.
Amplify the Message (AL Links)
Your continued advocacy is critical. Raise awareness on social media: Please share the campaign on your social media accounts. Here is a sample post you can use:
 
Facebook: DSHS was tasked by the Office of Financial Management with completing a cruel budget exercise that would impact thousands of vulnerable Washingtonians who receive and deliver long term care services and supports. In total, cuts of over $80 million are contemplated for state assisted living centers over the 2021-2023 biennium. Let your legislators and Governor Inslee know these cuts come at a human cost and that the funding must not be cut as it is essential to fight this deadly virus.
Election 2020
Concerns of Missing Ballot

With mail-in voting being at the forefront of the news, residents may have concerns on receiving their ballots.

Here are posters provided by the Washington Secretary of State explaining vote-by-mail in Washington state and voter accessibility rights. You can put copies of these around your facility for your residents' convenience.



If a resident still has concerns and asks for assistance, here are some steps you can take.

  • If the resident has not received their ballot by October 21 (which is about a week after most ballots are mailed), they should contact their county elections department for a replacement.

  • If there is any concern about getting that replacement ballot by mail, they can obtain a replacement ballot delivered online by logging into VoteWA.gov.

  • They have up to 8:00 p.m. November 3 to deposit their ballot in an official drop box. If mailed, the ballot must be postmarked by Election Day. The USPS recommends mailing ballots a week before Election Day.
Advocacy - Register to Vote
Make sure you, your family, and colleagues are registered to vote in time for the November election. There are several ways you can register to vote in Washington that are social-distancing friendly.
 
 
You can use the online and mail-in forms to update your current voter registration.
 
If you are interested in registering other people to vote, please contact us. We can help provide materials and guidance on how to conduct a voter registration drive.
We will continue to post updates to WHCA's grassroots activities. If you have questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to email me or call.
Associate Director for Governmental Relations
Washington Health Care Association
Tel (800) 562-6170, Extension 108