WHCA Highlights – Week of March 9-12

WHCA exists to support skilled nursing and assisted living providers operating in communities throughout Washington, and we aim to keep our members informed of our ongoing work. Here’s a snapshot of what our team was doing last week:

Legislative Advocacy

• State Supplemental Operating Budget: Last week the Legislature passed the 2026 operating budget and finalized their work to adjourn March 12. We reported session results here, and are working now to check in with legislators and their staff about 2026 outcomes. Our work now turns to implementation of the rates rebase for SNFs, and further inquiries regarding the disparate treatment of assisted living Medicaid funding in the 2026-27 state operating budget. Here’s the budget comparison.
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• Acknowledge Advocate Excellence: We recognized the work of our advocates in an exclusive synopsis of the 2026 Legislative Session sent to grassroots leaders. Our partnerships during the session are essential, and Aidan Swayne stands ready to support those interested in growing as advocacy leaders ahead of 2027 – reach out today.

Regulatory Consultation, Policy Support & Advocacy

• Hospice Minimal Feeding Policy: We worked with a member in the King County area where a hospice agency imposed a new policy limiting feeding and offering beverages to residents on hospice who also have dementia, even if the resident demonstrated an interest in eating or drinking. This was concerning to say the least; WHCA representatives met with DSHS about this and all agreed that withholding food and beverages from a resident when he or she expressly demonstrated a desire to eat or drink might rise to the level of neglect. If you work with a hospice agency that supports a term called, “minimal comfort feeding” please carefully consider your approach to such policies.  For more information, contact Vicki McNealley at the WHCA office.
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• Composting Requirements: Our team connected with the Department of Ecology on emerging facility regulations related to composting. If you or your facility team are interested in information pertaining to the Organics Management Law, which may impact your operations, please reach out to Aidan Swayne.
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• Memory Care Standards: We initiated work to review and gather information from our member workgroup for the Small Business Economic Impact Statement relating to the new memory care certification regulations, which go into effect July 1, 2026. For questions about the new standard, reach out to Vicki McNealley.
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• Attorney General Inquiry: WHCA’S regulatory team responded to a member inquiry about a communication they received from Attorney General Nick Brown’s office, asserting that at least one of the assisted living residents living in the facility falls under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act standards. This means the attorney general’s office believes this resident should have received a 90-day written notice of the rent increase (rather than a 30-day written notice as outlined in the resident rights law), and that the percentage of the rent increase must be limited to the maximum outlined in the landlord-tenant act.  WHCA is working with a Ballard Spahr attorney to respond to the attorney general’s office regarding this interpretation.
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• 24/7 RN Waivers: WHCA met with DSHS representatives to review a convoluted proposal to set baselines on granting waivers to 24/7 RN staffing rules. We reminded DSHS that we do not support minimum wage thresholds for RNs.
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• Federal Medicaid Fraud Investigations: Our team participated in a meeting with 10 different state execs in states that have been targeted by the Federal Committee on Energy and Commerce for Medicaid Fraud.  Investigations are largely focused on Hospice, Interpreter Services, In-Home Personal Care, and Transportation. Minnesota reported CMS is withholding $2 billion in Medicaid payments (not for AL or SNFS)  and with an additional claw-back of $200 million.  It appears that Somalian-owned business that provide autism services are being targeted in more than one state.  We have this on a watch:  1) to make sure it doesn’t move into SNF and AL, and 2) to the extent that Medicaid funding is reduced for these other services, Governors, state agencies, and state legislatures may try to “backfill” by reducing other Medicaid services that are not under investigation.
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• Medicaid Transportation: Concerns have been brought forth regarding Medicaid funded transportation services, specifically issues with lack of communication, late cancellations, and failure to return residents from appointments. Please contact Elena Madrid with concerns or examples to bring attention to this issue.

Governance/Committees

• WHCA Board Elections: We’ve announced the slate of candidates for the 2026 WHCA Board of Directors. Ballots will be distributed to eligible voters on March 23; winners will be announced on April 27. We’d like to express our gratitude to the volunteer leaders who commit time, energy, and effort to this important service.
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• WHCA-PAC: With three open positions on the WHCA-PAC committee, there is an opportunity to serve on a committee dedicated to ensuring that WHCA’s political action is sustained and effective. Reach out to Lauri St. Ours if you’d like to know more.
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• Reimbursement Committees: The SNF and AL Reimbursement Committee meetings have been scheduled for May 19, in conjunction with the WHCA Annual Convention. For information, contact Aidan Swayne.

Events and Activities

• 2026 WHCA LEAD Training: Forty-seven assisted living professionals are currently engaged in the LEAD Executive Training Program. The session began last week, and attendees are continuing their professional development as the intensive workshop continues this week.  We are delighted and inspired by this new class of leaders!
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• 2026 WHCA Annual Convention: Registration is open for the state’s premier convention for skilled nursing and assisted living providers, happening May 18-20 at the Seattle Airport Marriott. In addition to expert presenters covering a range of topics, the Annual Convention features several key activities:
  • 2026 Trade Show: To date, 36 member business partners have signed on to exhibit at the 2026 WHCA Annual Convention Trade Show. We can’t wait to connect our members with the associate business partners who support and advance the quality of care and services. Spaces are limited – contact Jackie Asbury on the WHCA team for additional information.
  • Excellence in Service Awards Luncheon: The selection committee has chosen the eight award recipients for WHCA’s annual Excellence in Service Awards. The WHCA staff have notified all the winners and are scheduling onsite visits to record, take pictures, and learn more about these deserving individuals. We can’t wait to celebrate our winners at the WHCA Annual Convention!
  • WHCA-PAC Bowl-a-Rama: Let the good times roll! Sponsorships are available for the Bowl-a-Rama – secure your team’s exclusive lane today and get ready to put the fun in fundraiser! Contact Aidan Swayne for more info.