Release of State Senate and House Operating Budget Proposals is Imminent—March 24 & March 27
There are 34 days left in the 2023 legislative session. For the past 70+ days, budget writers have been at work establishing budget priorities for the two-year state operating budget. Today the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released their March forecast. The Council is forecasting a decrease of $483 million for the 2023-25 biennium and a reduction of $541 million in the 2025-27 biennium. The Council forecast an increase in revenue for the current biennium, which ends on June 30. The revenue reduction, and the loss of one-time federal funds that were used for programs like long term care, will create a dilemma for state budget writers who must address Medicaid funding shortfalls that threaten long term care and services to our most vulnerable.
In addition to focused legislative meetings with key budget writers last week, we continue to seek public support for funding. Here is my March 16 guest editorial in the Spokesman- Review detailing the need for Medicaid funding in our settings.
We will know more about Senate priorities on Thursday after the Senate budget is released. SB 5187 will make the fiscal appropriations for the 2023-2025 state operating budget. The Senate Ways and Means Committee will hold a public hearing on the plan at 2 pm on Friday, and I will be testifying on a panel representing WHCA members. The hearing will include testimony on proposals affecting higher education, early learning, employee compensation, mental health, human services, natural resources, among others. It will be a long night.
We will be reviewing and reporting to you about the Senate proposal—look for an update on Friday, March 24.
The House budget is slated to be released next Monday, March 27, with a public hearing in the House Appropriations Committee thereafter. At that point, we will be working to advance the best proposal for our members as negotiations between the two chambers begin in earnest. Agreement must be reached before the legislature’s April 23 adjournment.
Advocacy Matters
Two-minute advocacy exercise: It will take all of us to help the legislature understand why they must make progress in closing the gap on Medicaid funding shortfalls—and you can help by emailing your legislators today. Make no mistake, the two minutes you invest in advocating for seniors today is important—it takes many voices to elevate our message that Medicaid rates must keep pace with actual cost of providing care. Please ask your friends, colleagues, and family members to join you in advocacy.
Budget committees are key this week. This week we are particularly interested in aligning our members with their legislators on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Appropriations Committee. We are reaching out to company and building-level leaders to ask that you call legislators’ offices directly to remind them about the importance of their support for Medicaid funding for long term care services in your settings. Our primary goal is to ensure you have what you need to successfully reach out. Email our WHCA advocacy team if you have questions.
During the next three weeks, it is critically important that we continue to drive messages about the need for state operating budget investments that support patients, residents, and their caregivers. We want to acknowledge and thank those of you who have made it a priority to advocate.
Here’s what your colleagues are telling their legislators:
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“I find this work deeply rewarding and fulfilling. If I don’t come into work one day, I’ve let someone down. That’s what pushes me and that’s why it greatly saddens me when residents feel like society doesn’t care about them.”
—Eric Mills, Life Enrichment Director at The Village Tacoma
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“Nursing facilities like mine provided over $620 million in uncompensated Medicaid care to Washington’s low-income patients during the past five years, and because of that shortfall in funding, are unable to compete for qualified staff. Bumping the Medicaid reimbursement rate would be a huge win because then we could compete with hospital wages.” —Amanda Schlaikowski, Assistant Administrator at Cottesmore of Life Care
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Policy Round-Up
HB 1431, Clarifying that meals furnished to tenants of senior living communities as part of their rental agreement are not subject to sales and use tax. Rep. Joe Timmons’ legislation to clarify that senior meals are not subject to sales tax passed the House floor on March 16 with a 93-0 vote. Watch Rep. Timmons' remarks. The bill is now eligible for Senate consideration, where a similar measure, SB 5748, passed executive committee on March 16. You can support the legislation.
HB 1547, Increasing the health care workforce by authorizing out-of-state providers to practice immediately. The legislation creates an expedited temporary practice permit process for registered nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and licensed practical nurses, who are licensed in Alaska, California, Idaho, or Oregon, to practice in Washington. Sign up to support this bill.
HB 1694, Addressing home care workforce shortages. On March 17, I testified in support of this legislation, which addresses some of the barriers our assisted living providers experience related to home care aide certification. The legislation is scheduled for executive session on March 21. Please support this bill.
SB 5547, Concerning nursing pool transparency. This legislation aims to ensure that nursing pools (staffing agencies) are registered with the Department of Health. The bill also establishes reporting requirements related to provided services. I will be testifying to support the legislation in the House Health Care Committee on Tuesday, March 21. Please register your support.
SB 5499 Concerning the multistate nurse licensure compact. Legislation that would make Washington a Nurse Licensure Compact state passed the Senate on a 40-8 vote earlier this month. The bill is scheduled for hearing in the House Committee on Postsecondary Education & Workforce on Wednesday, March 22. I will testify to support the legislation. Sign up to support the bill.
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