WA HB1664

Requires the long-term care ombuds program to develop annual funding recommendations by September 1, 2025, and each year thereafter, in partnership with the Department of Commerce and Office of Financial Management

Funding recommendations must achieve the Institute of Medicine's recommended ratio of one full-time ombuds for every 2,000 long-term care facility residents

Recommendations must account for growth in licensed long-term care beds (using caseload forecast council projections), consumer price index inflation, and administrative needs

Department of Commerce must submit the annual funding recommendations to the Office of Financial Management and chairs of legislative fiscal committees with operating budget jurisdiction

Legislature finds current funding is insufficient based on a 2020 Department of Commerce report, and the population in licensed long-term care facilities is expected to grow