Terry Myers and Tonja Myers advocating in Olympia. Photo taken Pre-COVID-19.
Grassroots Update
Stop Long Term Care Funding Cuts



On August 14, WHCA joined with LeadingAge Washington in a joint letter to the Governor and legislative leadership to request reinstatement of the $29 PPD COVID-19 skilled nursing facility Medicaid rate add-on provided through federal dollars intended to support management and mitigation of this deadly virus. Outbreak numbers are up, and costs for supplies, staffing and infection control efforts have increased markedly. The state’s failure to provide critically necessary emergency funding is hindering providers’ ability to combat the virus, to the great risk of patients and their caregivers.
 
You can send your personalized message here urging the Governor and legislators to ensure funding is restored.
 
Bottom line: The Governor and your legislators must hear from our entire community—providers, caregivers, families and friends.

Emergency funds must be reinstated to battle a deadly virus that targets older citizens with co-existing conditions that put them at greatest risk—patients of Washington skilled nursing facilities.
 
In fewer than 3 minutes, you can reach Governor Inslee and legislators in your home and work districts.
 
Thanks for all you do to advocate for our most vulnerable.  
Amplify the Message
Amplify the message to Governor Inslee and Washington legislators: Restore COVID Emergency Funds to Protect Our Most Vulnerable.
 
1) Ask your friends and colleagues to oppose emergency fund cuts. Here’s a sample message you can send to four friends in your network:
 
I’ve made it a mission and a profession to support seniors in long term care. I am reaching out today to ask for your help. The Governor’s Office of Financial Management has reduced emergency COVID-19 federal funding intended to support the battle against this virus. In nursing homes, the emergency funding of $29 per Medicaid client per day has been slashed to $5. These dollars are critical to help address the extraordinary costs for fighting this deadly disease, and is necessary for PPE, staffing and infection control. I hope you join me in believing it is unacceptable to cut Medicaid funds in the middle of a battle. This is a policy decision that unnecessarily puts people at risk.
 
Will you join me in reaching out to Governor Inslee and your area legislators to let them know these cuts come at a human cost? It is critical that this funding be fully restored to ensure there are necessary resources to fight this deadly virus. It takes about three minutes to send a message here: https://www.votervoice.net/WHCA/campaigns/75411/respond


2) Raise Awareness on Social Media: Please share the campaign on your social media accounts. Here are sample posts:
 
Facebook: The Governor’s Office of Financial Management has reduced emergency COVID-19 federal funding intended to support the battle against this virus. In nursing homes, the emergency funding of $29 per Medicaid client per day has been slashed to $5. This is unacceptable. The failure to fund skilled nursing facilities as they care for those most impacted by this pandemic puts people at unnecessary risk. Let your legislators and Governor Inslee know these cuts come at a human cost and that the funding should be fully restored to ensure there are necessary resources to fight this deadly virus. https://www.votervoice.net/WHCA/campaigns/75411/respond

Twitter: @GovInslee’s OFM has removed emergency COVID-19 federal funds intended for the state’s Medicaid program. This has slashed nursing home funding from $29 to $5 per day while providers are caring for those most impacted by COVID-19. Take action now! Send a message to your legislators and the Governor to stop these cuts. https://www.votervoice.net/WHCA/campaigns/75411/respond 
Election 2020
Primary Election
 
For the certified August primary results click here.
 
Even though Washington's primary election was held on August 4, the results did not get certified by the Secretary of State until August 21. This is due to Washington being a vote-by-mail state.
 
Washington’s general election will take place November 3; we will continue to provide interesting election information in upcoming updates.
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.
 
·    Print Voter Registration Form (mail-in form)
·    Voter Eligibility
 
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 shoot us a quick note. We can help provide materials and guidance on how to conduct a voter registration drive.
Check Your Spam Filter
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If you have questions or need additional information, please don't hesitate to ask.
I 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