Governor Signs SB6807

On March 28, 2008 Governor Gregoire signed SB6807, Part 1 and 3. She vetoed Part 2.
Below is a synopsis of Parts 1 and 3:
Part 1: Under the terms of the legislation, a facility's voluntary withdrawal from the Medicaid program cannot be used as a basis for the transfer or discharge of residents from the facility. A facility cancelling its Medicaid contract will be required to retain any current residents (1) who were receiving Medicaid on the day before the effective date of the cancellation of the Medicaid contract; or (2) who have been paying the facility privately for at least two years and who become eligible for Medicaid within 180 days of the date of the cancellation. Notwithstanding withdrawal from the Medicaid program, the Medicaid contract will be deemed to continue in effect for the duration of these residents' tenancy.
Part 3: The legislation contains an "emergency clause". Under the terms of the "emergency clause" the provisions governing a facility's withdrawal from the Medicaid program will go into effect immediately upon signature by the Governor.

I have learned that Assisted Living Concepts (ALC) has notified the State of Washington that they are cancelling their Medicaid contracts at all of their facilities in the state effective 6/24/2008. This notice was dated 3/24/08. We think that the Medicaid residents in these facilities will be covered by the above law because it states that it applies to residents receiving Medicaid on the day before the EFFECTIVE DATE of the cancellation of the contract (not the date of notice).

Thanks again to all of you who worked toward the passage of this bill.