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Get Involved -- Section Two:

Support Long-Term Care Legislation

Louise Ryan, Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. 

Send email to: Louise

Be an Informed Citizen: Be Vocal, Be an Agent for Change

One way to help is by being an informed citizen who communicates with legislators about the needs of residents and actively supports the changes that are needed either in policy and/or regulations.  

 

On this page we will highlight the ongoing work of Louise Ryan, our Washington State Ombudsman, who works with Washington State Legislators to protect the rights, improve the quality of life, and promote the interests and well being of long-term care residents. Louise will keep us informed of the current legislative issues being considered by the State of Washington. 

 

Once informed, we encourage to use our tools and links to communicate your concerns to your local and state government officials, and your state senators and congressman.

 

 

2007 Long-Term Care Ombudsman Legislative Bill Tracking

 

 

Bill Number

 

Subject

 

Sponsor

LTCOP

Position

 

Comments

 

Current Status

SB-5417

Temp. mgmt in Boarding Homes

Keiser

Support

Ombuds. Initiated bill

Companion HB1447

1/18-1st rdg/ref to H&LTC

 

SB-5320

Creating office of Guardianship

Franklin

Support

Companion HB-1130

1/26-PH Sen. Comm on Judiciary

SB-5352

RE: Disciplinary actions of health prof’s.

Kline

Support

 

1/24-PH in Sen Comm HC&Wellness

SB 5091

Medicare D co-pay coverage for dual eligible in community

 

Support

Governor request

Companion 1095

1/10-1st rdg ref to H&LTC

SB-5018

Prohibiting prof. guardians from serving as ltd. Guard. Or attny or ad litem

Jacobsen

 

 

1/26-PH in Sen. Comm

SB-5352

Specifying burden of proof in disciplinary actions for health prof’s

Kline

Support

 

1/24-PH in Sen. Comm on Judicial

SB-5017

Allocating guardianship costs/fees

Jacobsen

 

 

1/26-PH in Sen. Comm.

SB-5144

needs criteria of married couples in BH/NH beds

Carrell

 

 

1/25-PH in Sen. Comm.

SB-5520

Use of video equp in NH’s

Honeyford

 

 

1/23-1st rdg; ref to H&LTC

SB-5285

Res. Services & support enforcement Stds

Keiser

 

RE: Community Protection Prog.

1/24-PH in Sen. Comm.

SB-5211

RE: Concentration of AFH in communities

Carrell

Do Not Support

 

 

SB-5275

Establish workgp to ensure seamless access to backgd checks

Kohl-Wells

Support

 

1/23-PH in Sen Comm in HS & Corrections

SB-5284

Elig. For LTC Services

Keiser

 

Companion HB-1247

1/16-1st rdg ref to H/LTC

SB-5106

Emerg. Preparedness for service animals

Jacobsen

 

 

1/16-PH in Sen. Comm Gov Opns & Elections

 

 

 

 

 

 

HB-1447

Temp mgmt in Boarding Homes

Morrell

Support

Ombuds. initiated bill

Companion SB-5417

1/19-1st rdg. Ref to HC & Wellness

HB-1130

Creating office of Guardianship

Lantz

Support

Companion SB-5320

1/23-Exec action taken by Comm

HB-1347

Req. emerg. Response plans for LTC facilities

Schual-Berke

 

 

1/17-1st rdg/ref to HC & Wellness

 

HB-1008

 

Protecting Vulnerable Adults

 

Moeller

 

Support w/concerns

 

 

1/17-PH in HS Comm on Judiciary

HB 1095

Medicare D co-pay coverage for dual eligible in community

Barlow

Support

Governor request

Companion 5091

1/25-Rd 1st time-Rules susp. Placed on 2nd rdg

HB-1085

Rev. reqmts for LTC ins plans offered by Pub Empl Benefits Brd

Morrell

 

 

1/22-Exec action taken in HS Comm-HCW-Maj pass

HB-1086

Rev. reqmts for LTC Insurance

Morrell

 

 

1/22-Exec action taken in HS Comm-HCW maj pass

HB-1095

Implementing Part D Drug co-pmt program

Barlow

 

 

In Senate

1/23-1st rdg-rules suspended-placed on 2nd rdg

HB-1298

Dental Hygienist empl by HC Fac

Green

 

 

1/16-1st rdg; ref to HCW

HB-1100

Backgrnd Checks for HC providers

Campbell

 

 

1/25-Sched for exec session in HS Comm-HCW

HB-1348

Protection presc. Drug practices by pharm mgrs

Schual-Berks

 

 

1/17-1st rdg-ref to HCW

HB-1202

Creating office of Ombudsman for persons w/DD

Roberts

Support

 

1/25-PH in House Comm on Judiciary

HB-1242

Create AFH Cert Program

Morrell

Support

 

1/25-PH in House Comm on HC& Wellness

HB-1097

Protecting vulnerable adults re: public transportation

Miloscia

 

 

1/25-PH in House Comm on Judiciary

HB -1247

Concern eligibility for LTC services

Morrell

Neutral

DSHS request

Companion 5284

1/25-PH in HS Comm. HC & Wellness

 PH = Public Hearing

 

Checking the status of a bill:

Legislature's Web site (you'll need to enter the bill number where instructed)

 

Elder Justice Act: 

Legislative Updates - Elder Justice Act 

 

109th U.S. Congress (2005-2006) H.R. 4493: Elder Justice Act

 

Know the issues and contact your legislator:

Know the issues and regularly communicate your experiences, ideas, and beliefs to your representatives in Olympia and Washington D.C. 

 

To find your local, state or federal representative and to find out how to lobby your legislator, visit The League of Women Voters:

 

They Represent You Site

 

Work with your local Long-Term Care facility to invite state and federal elected officials to visit the residents and become educated regarding issues that affect residents and their families.

 

Understand the committees that regularly review, revise, and write long term care policy in Washington and communicate with those bodies also. 

 

Washington State Senate Health and Long Term Care 

 

Washington State House Health Care Committee

 

Washington State House of Representatives

 

U.S. House of Representatives

 

U.S. Senate

 

U.S. Senate: Senate Special Committee on Aging 

 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to serving the needs of older individuals. Through medical insurance offered by Medicare, public support for long-term care options such as home health care and nursing homes, assistance for family caregivers, nutrition services, grant programs, and research into the causes and effects of aging, HHS agencies are striving to support older Americans and to help them lead healthy, active lives. To find out more go to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Fact Sheet

 

See  Stay Informed, and Critical issues in Long Term Care for information on current issues, the LTC Ombudsman Program legislative agenda, and how to reach your legislator.   

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