Proclamation 20-44 waived/suspended statutory requirements that allow nursing homes to transfer and discharge residents to other long-term care facilities. According to the Governor’s office, this order is no longer needed, and it is rescinded effective immediately. We believe the removal of this waiver will create issues for LTC, including the inability to timely co-locate Covid positive residents into a Covid dedicated facility and enable skilled nursing facilities to manage workforce challenges and the care needs of both Covid positive and non-Covid residents.  

LeadingAge WA raised this issue today with the Long-Term Care Advisory Committee, including Bill Moss and Mike Anbesse.  We are concerned stakeholders were not included in the decision to rescind this waiver, nor were we notified prior to it being announced in the media.  We will continue to keep you updated on this issue.

Read the full proclamation here.

Questions?

Contact:

Laura Hofmann, MSN, RN – Director of Clinical and Nursing Facility Regulatory Services
c: 425-231-4804