Weekly Advocacy Update
Feb 27, 2025
Weekly updates from your Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy!
SHB 1398 Update
SHB 1398 has not moved YET from Appropriations. If this bill doesn’t get voted out of this committee tomorrow, our bill will not move forward. We will be able to resume this bills course next session. If this bill does make it out, I will immediately send out a call to action on next steps. In the meantime- continue messaging the Appropriations Committee following the instructions from our call to action.
Special thanks to: Job, Ksenyia, Alyssa, Arsema, and Bob for testifying to the Appropriations Committee on 2/25. They did such a fantastic job representing you that a representative followed them out to thank them. You can listen to their passionate pleas at the video linked below:
Governor's Proposed Budget
Governor Ferguson has given an updated on his proposed budget. Takeaways that you should be aware of:
- No proposed cuts to our Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Preserving the Rainy-Day Fund, meaning if there are Federal Cuts to Medicaid, we have a fall back. Note: The Federal Courts Blocked proposed Federal Cuts. Congress did pass a bill, however this bill will be challenged. I will update you as we move forward. We will advocate when/if the time comes to ensure we raise our voices if there are federal cuts.
- He and his team were able to rectify half of the budget deficit. The legislature still hasn’t submitted a budget forecast. More information to come.
- Proposed cuts to Meaningful Day on page 92 line item 12 of his budget. We are working with ALTSA on getting more information. Stay tuned.
HB 1686 Update
HB1686 was presented an amendment that would have created major problems for Adult Family Homes. Why we were against this bill:
- The administrative fee is an unknown and left to the discretion of the Department. Providers cannot afford additional administrative costs, especially those that are completely unknown.
- There is a significant administrative time burden. Providers should focus on patient care and not assimilating data into a new format for another Department of the state.
- Much of the information requested is already provided during initial licensure with the state or via a cost reporting form in the case of hospitals and nursing homes.
We were successful with getting adult family homes exempted from the requirements of this bill and will monitor to ensure this is sustained. Follow the status of this bill for regular updates.
Other Updates
- I am working with The Arc of Washington, The Developmental Disability Council, Representative Taylor and Representative Farviar on creating educational documents for the legislature to ensure that if and when Residential Habilitation Center’s) (RHC’s) close- that the legislature recognizes adult family homes are the most appropriate option.
- Next Legislative Update Webinar is on March 7th at 1:00. Get registered here.
- Register for Lobby Day! At this point, if you haven’t registered, you will not be able to meet with a representative, but you can still engage.
Stay with me!
Courtney Williams, MPA
Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy
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