Takeaways from the State and Federal Policy Updates at the 2025 Winter Symposium

The 2025 WHCA Winter Symposium wrapped up last Wednesday with a final-day session lineup focused on state and federal policy updates. The sessions were designed to help providers understand and respond to a changing landscape in a highly regulated and ever-changing healthcare sector. Here are key takeaways from Wednesday’s meetings: 

• • WHCA Policy Update: The Legislature is in session, and many policy bills on the docket would affect skilled nursing and assisted living care. Here’s a rundown on some of the policy measures WHCA is working to shape. WHCA team members Carma Matti-Jackson, Lauri St. Ours, Eric Negomir, and Jeff Gombosky shared their perspectives about this work. 

• • Key takeaway: Our members are best at helping legislators understand the impact of their decisions. Our strength comes from our ability to advocate for sound policies and sustainable Medicaid funding. Email Eric Negomir for more information.  

• • DSHS Regulatory Update: The DSHS rulemaking calendar is driven by legislative actions, so this session was partly a legislative update and partly an update on the rulemaking priorities for DSHS in the coming months.  

• • Key takeaway: DSHS is the keeper of rules and regulations affecting long-term care providers. The agenda is substantial. Here’s the January report on rulemaking activity. For WHCA members, continued work on emergency planning requirements tied to COVID-era legislative work and continued efforts to update operating regulations to align with changing state and federal regulations are on the agenda for the Department. If you are interested in the DSHS rulemaking, here’s where you can learn more.  

• • American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) Federal Policy Update: AHCA Vice President of Government Affairs Jennifer Hahs updated providers about federal policies impacting skilled nursing and assisted living care. AHCA and NCAL continue to focus on transitioning to a new administration as policy and payment changes are considered in the other Washington. The specter of federal Medicaid cuts and the impact on the long-term care sector drive AHCA/NCAL’s work. 

• • Key Takeaway: This is a significant time for providers to mobilize around federal issues. The opportunities include the June AHCA/NCAL Congressional Fly-In, where Eric Negomir will lead providers in key meetings with the Washington Congressional Delegation. Learn more here.  

• • WHCA Regulatory Update: This session focused on the Past, Present and Future regulatory focus for skilled nursing and assisted living providers, including information about clinical issues, infection prevention and control, surveys, and leadership development. 

• • Key Takeaway: WHCA’s Elena Madrid and Vicki McNealley are the state’s imminent clinical and regulatory experts in skilled nursing and assisted living centers.  Your outreach on these issues helps inform our efforts with the legislature and regulatory agencies. Do not hesitate to reach out with your questions, dilemmas, and challenges.