Close up image of a caretaker helping older woman walk

Washington — Washington State Sen. Steven O’Ban (R) announced plans to propose legislation that would increase state reimbursements for Medicaid patients. It also would require reimbursement rates to be rebased annually on industry data from the most recent calendar year. 

The legislation is an effort to address the state’s Medicaid shortfall for skilled nursing facilities amid a recent wave of closures. 

The state has the fourth-lowest Medicaid rate in the country, and funding issues have led to the closure of 19 skilled nursing facilities over the last several years. 

The legislation is supported by the Washington Health Care Association and LeadingAge Washington.