URGENT ACTION NEEDED:
Request a Hearing for HB 1398!
What Happened?
Our bill for equitable pay, HB 1398, has been moved to Appropriations. It must get a hearing so it can continue on to the Rules Committee. If it does not get a hearing, our bill dies.
We must act now! We need you to email the Appropriations Committee IMMEDIATELY to educate them on the fact that there is no fiscal impact from this bill. Don’t assume they know. They need to hear from us!
This is a crucial moment, and we need everyone to take action. Please don’t wait.
What We Need You to do:
Email Appropriations Leadership and Cc Our Bill Sponsor!
To:
Chair: timm.ormsby@leg.wa.gov ; LA: Shannon.Waechter@leg.wa.gov
Vice Chair: mia.gregerson@leg.wa.gov ; LA: Tyra.Zeigler@leg.wa.gov
Vice Chair: nicole.macri@leg.wa.gov ; LA: Brady.Hood@leg.wa.gov
Cc:
Bill Sponsor: shaun.scott@leg.wa.gov
Email Template:
Subject Line: Please schedule HB 1398 for a hearing- not a fiscal bill a bill for equity!
Good Morning Representatives,
My name is, I live in the [Your Legislative District] I am [Your role to adult family homes]. I am reaching out today on behalf of over 5,000 adult family homes in the state of Washington who want to see Adult Family Homes included in existing law, by amending RCW 41.56.465 through the passage of HB 1398.
This modification to existing law would require a panel to consider the same factors for adult family home providers as it does for individual providers. The bill removes references for considerations regarding some family childcare providers and requires the panel consider certain factors concerning uniformed personnel instead. Passage of this legislation will not impact the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) workload or client benefits. Therefore, there is no fiscal impact to DSHS from this bill. The Bill Analyis can be found upon referencing the link here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zxpueoveepoi4todxwzra/1398-HBA-LAWS-25.pdf?rlkey=71dnzymj30nfxpb6u9bgke8r8&st=wghk5joi&dl=0
Included in this analysis you will note:
“The decision of the panel is not binding on the Legislature. If the Legislature does not approve the funds necessary to implement an arbitrated collective bargaining agreement, the decision is not binding on the state.”
We understand that interest arbitration bills typically have a cost associated with them. Our ask is for a modification to existing legislation that determines Medicaid rates, a federally secured funding stream. This bill for us is about equity.
[EXPLAIN HOW YOUR HOME SUPPORTS MEDICAID PATIENTS OR HOW YOU CAN’T SUSTAIN PATIENTS DUE TO THE LOW RATES.]
Thank you for considering.
[Your Name]
Please send questions to Courtney@adultfamilyhomecouncil.org
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