issue area reports | health care
Sen . Annette Cleveland , D-Vancouver , is chair of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee .
a medical assistant-certified certification . It also allows an applicant for a medical assistant-phlebotomist credential who has completed a training program to work under supervision for a period of up to 180 days after filing their application . The bill unanimously passed the Legislature .
SB 5103 difficult-to-discharge patients
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Sen . Ron Muzzall , R-Oak Harbor
Hospitals face a growing challenge with housing difficult-to-discharge Medicaid patients . These are patients who do not meet the criteria for in-patient , acute care , yet are unable to be discharged to a community setting because of lack of available beds . This bill requires the state to reimburse hospitals for difficult-to-discharge patients , helping hospitals recoup financial losses . The measure unanimously passed the House and Senate .
SB 5036 audio-only telemedicine
Passed / AWB Supported sponsor : Sen . Ron Muzzall , R-Oak Harbor
Telemedicine became especially important for people to access health care during the pandemic . This bill extends a pandemicera rule allowing audio-only telemedicine , allowing providers to continue to treat patients over the phone without an in-person appointment to establish care until July 1 , 2024 . The bill passed unanimously .
HB 1011 long-term care / repeal
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor : Rep . Peter Abbarno , R-Centralia
The bill would have repealed the state ’ s long-term care insurance program , WA Cares . AWB and a coalition of more than 200 employers urged lawmakers to resolve flaws with the controversial program or pause it before premium collection from employees began in July . In addition to repealing WA Cares , the bill called for discussion to incentivize and support Washingtonians in planning for their longterm care needs . Unfortunately , the bill did not receive a hearing .
SB 5479 long-term care referendum
Failed / AWB Supported sponsor : Sen . Mark Schoesler , R-Ritzville
This bill would have put the long-term care insurance program up for public referendum . It also was not scheduled for a hearing . special edition 2023 17