ICYMI: WHCA in the News
With Legislative Session just days away, WHCA advocates have been hard at work spreading awareness on the importance of long-term care funding and how we as a community can make a difference. Check out some of the work that’s been happening in preparation for the 2026 Session:
‘Silver tsunami’ may swamp long-term care in Clark County
January 3, 2026, The Columbian, Emily Rogers
https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jan/03/silver-tsunami-may-swamp-long-term-care-in-clark-county/
The decline in Medicaid coverage and reimbursements creates a “double-crisis” of more people needing care in a nursing home combined with fewer nursing home beds
Comment: State funding cuts would devastate long-term care
December 20, 2025, The Everett Herald, Amanda Lanser
https://www.heraldnet.com/opinion/comment-state-funding-cuts-would-devastate-long-term-care/
“Unfortunately, inflation does not wait for insurance to catch up. Increased prices on everything from linens to meat to housekeeping and care team wages mean that many skilled nursing facilities are struggling to keep their doors open.”
Ferguson proposes $244M boost for housing programs
December 18, 2025, Washington State Standard, by Jake Goldstein-Street
“The sum Ferguson is proposing builds upon $760 million in spending on affordable housing that lawmakers authorized in Washington’s construction budget this year. Of that, $605 million is directed to the Housing Trust Fund. That’s up from $527 million shoveled into the fund in the previous two-year budget.”
**OPINION: State must not short-change funding for long-term care centers
December 17, 2025, The Spokesman-Review, by Renee Hayes
“Most prominently, Washington nursing homes need greater resources from the state in order to better invest in current staff and also attract more trained caregivers. Washington state nursing facilities desperately need more caregivers. We need to protect Medicaid funding and urge Washington state legislators and the Department of Social and Health Services to increase reimbursement rates. A higher reimbursement rate would allow for better staff to resident ratios as well as giving facilities the funding to offer competitive wages, especially when other types of health care facilities like hospitals and private clinics can readily offer higher wages.”
**Letter: Protect Medicaid funding in state
December 17, 2025, The Columbian, by Reahna Cavalli
“Washington may not be able to increase this year with the budget deficit, but we cannot afford to go backward. Preserve long-term care funding and protect Medicaid.”
Aegis Living Offers Emergency & Respite Housing for Seniors Displaced by Washington State Flooding
December 16, 2025, PR Newswire, from Aegis Living
“As widespread flooding continues to impact communities across Washington State, Aegis Living has activated its emergency response protocol and is immediately offering respite placements for seniors who have been displaced or evacuated due to the storms.”
Murray pushes to halt federal pilot adding AI to Medicare approvals
December 15, 2025, The Seattle Times, by Elise Takahama
“The bill, co-sponsored by Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, follows companion legislation filed in November by U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Medina, and five other congressional Democrats, who slammed the program for its potential to exacerbate delays in care for some Medicare enrollees. Patient advocacy groups, physicians and hospital leaders have also raised concerns about bringing in artificial intelligence tools to review pending Medicare procedures, particularly because AI companies will have a financial incentive to deny care.”
**OPINION: As WA lawmakers face budget trouble, take care of our seniors
December 2, 2025, The Olympian, by Lorraine Hine
