Grassroots Update: Making Facility Tours Count

Facility tours are powerful opportunities for long-term care providers to showcase the quality and value of the care they deliver to Washington’s seniors. When legislators see staff, caregivers, residents, and families working together, they witness our sector in action. Other meaningful moments happen when lawmakers listen and connect with the challenges facing your facility and long-term care across our great state.

With a little preparation, visits can become powerful advocacy tools. Understanding the policy and fiscal issues affecting our sector helps turn your tour into a chance to connect your facility’s struggles and highlights with those of others. This, we have seen, leaves an impression and reconnects legislators with their communities.

Last week, Aidan Swayne joined Administrator Kensie Tyler and her team at Avamere Rehabilitation of Burien for a tour with Rep. Mia Gregerson of the 33rd legislative district. Kensie’s preparation and thoughtful engagement made the visit productive. In just 30 minutes Kensie briefed Rep. Gregerson on systems challenges that exacerbate financial viability and personalize the impact of these challenges. Notably, Kensie and Rep. Gregerson spoke about Burien’s unique immigrant population and the impact to Medicaid eligibility that federal legislation, HR1, will have on those who require skilled nursing care in the community. HR1 reduces federally funded Medicaid eligibility for refugee, asylee, and other non-citizen adults, effective Oct. 1, 2026.

Thanks to Justin Polson, Jolynn Munro, and the team at Avamere for their continued connection to our tour campaign. To make your visit count, review the WHCA facility tour information here, and consider scheduling a coaching call with Aidan to prepare and maximize the impact of your facility tour.