Legislative Update: Wait! Just When We Thought We Were Coming to the End!

/in , /by Sarah

Legislative Update: Wait! Just When We Thought We Were Coming to the End!

On March 24th, both the House and Senate released their budgets, and we thought we were on the downhill slope of the legislative session. Then, on the afternoon of April 1st, Governor Ferguson held a press conference stating that he would not sign off on either the House or Senate budgets, citing concerns about sustainability and reliance on tax increases.

What Does This Mean?

Typically, by this stage in session, a small group of legislative leaders move behind closed doors to negotiate a final budget agreement to present to both chambers and the Governor. Now, the House and Senate must go back and adjust their budgets before moving on to the next step of negotiating with the opposite chamber to align with what the Governor will approve. If they don’t reach an agreement, the Governor may call a special session and extend the final deadline for legislators beyond April 27, the scheduled last day of this session.

For us, that means that now is not the time to ease up. Your advocacy is needed to ensure that services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are protected in the final budget! We need you to continue reaching out to your legislators about the importance of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Your Voice Has Been Heard—But We Must Keep Pushing!

Both the House and Senate initially protected critical services, including:

  • Maintaining eligibility for Developmental Disabilities (DD) services, ensuring continued access for those in need.
  • Preserving Personal Care hours, maintaining essential support for individuals requiring daily assistance.
  • Keeping Waiver services intact, avoiding reductions in crucial community-based supports.
  • Sustaining provider rates, preventing a decrease that could negatively impact the workforce vital to our community.

These services could now face renewed scrutiny, and we need your advocacy to safeguard them!  Tell your legislators to “Protect Essential Services”.

Small but Meaningful Investments

Despite significant budget constraints, the House and Senate acknowledged the importance of ensuring individuals with I/DD have meaningful activities. Both budgets include a “Day Habilitation” line item that provides:

  • A modest increase in rates for community respite, community engagement, and specialized habilitation (now called “Life Skills”).
  • A slight increase in monthly respite hours (by 1 or 2 hours), which, while small, is a step in the right direction.

If these services are important to you, now is the time to urge legislators to protect this funding in the final budget. If you don’t know who your legislators are, Then, give them a call and tell them which services matter most to you.

The Closure of Rainier RHC

Both the House and Senate budgets include the closure of Rainier Residential Habilitation Center (RHC). The House version also proposes closing Yakima Valley School, while keeping:

  • Overnight planned respite beds
  • Crisis stabilization beds

A big thank you to those who signed in to support SB 5393 and HB 1472! While this is a significant step forward, negotiations are still ongoing. The Arc has an info sheet as well as a resource sheet available for you to share with legislators to ensure informed decision-making.

Concerns Over Residential Services Funding

One area of concern is the lack of parity in Residential Services (Supported Living) funding. The House budget includes a 3% increase in Medicaid provider rates, while the Senate budget provides no increase at all. At a time when we need to strengthen community services, this is a serious oversight. We encourage you to reach out to your Senators and urge them to match the House’s funding level for Supported Living Medicaid provider rates

A Bright Spot: Housing Investments for the I/DD Community

We are excited to see $55 million in the Senate budget and $50 million in the House budget dedicated to developmental disabilities (DD) housing. These investments continue the momentum toward addressing the identified need for 37,000 housing units for individuals with I/DD.

It’s important to note that the Capital Budget is separate from the General Fund, meaning these housing investments are not subject to budget cuts.

The Final Push: Keep Advocating!

While we had hoped to be closer to the finish line, the Governor’s stance means we must keep up the advocacy momentum. Now is the time to make your concerns and support known to your legislators.

Stay informed by following our bill tracker and budget side by side.

At the Federal Level, Medicaid continues to be at risk.  Please continue to reach out to your Congressional Delegation and them “No Cuts to Medicaid”.

Watch our Action Alert Center for updates.

View our Medicaid Resource Page for tools you can use.

Thank you for your continued advocacy. Let’s keep pushing forward!

Save the Dates: 

Legislative Session Wrap Up Webinar

Wednesday, May 7th at 7:00 PM

Come hear how the session ended!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ifkWptZ6RwKCCU93x1aXuA

 

Federal Advocacy Updates Webinar

Wednesday, May 21st at 7:00 PM

Learn what is happening at the Federal Level and how you can help!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/K316ahZRRFaqBhqzV2BLEg

 

We hope you can join us!

– Cathy Murahashi

Protecting Community Services: A Critical Moment for Advocacy

/in , /by Sarah

Last Wednesday, spring was in the air—the sun was shining, and a few early daffodils peeked through the grounds of the Capitol. It was a beautiful day, made even more powerful by the nearly 300 advocates who gathered on the steps of the Capitol to rally for community services. SAIL, The Arc, The DDC, Community Residential Services, and other disability advocates united in a strong call for action. Chants of “Shut them down” echoed in response to the proposed closure of Yakima Valley and Rainier schools. Representatives Darya Farivar and Jamila Taylor stood with us, lending their voices in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

With looming budget cuts, protecting community services is more critical than ever. Legislators must understand that cutting the community safety net will only lead to costly crises down the road.

Legislative Update

We have now reached the halfway point of the legislative session. Last Friday marked the deadline for bills to move out of committee—those that did not advance are now considered dead. This significantly narrowed the list of bills were are tracking.

This week, legislators will be debating bills on the House and Senate floors. By next Wednesday at 5:00 PM, all bills must be passed out of their house of origin to remain in consideration.

Key Bills Still in Motion

  • HB 1130 has successfully passed out of the House. This bill would prioritize waiver access, particularly for individuals aged 45 and older, who are most likely to be living with aging parents and in urgent need of services.
  • SB 5680/HB  1826 aims to grant individuals the right to repair their own mobility equipment. Currently, even minor repairs can take months—this bill could empower people to fix their equipment themselves, reducing delays and improving quality of life.
  • SB 5501 seeks to eliminate the requirement of a driver’s license for jobs where driving is not a job-related task. This would remove a significant barrier for many people with disabilities who are fully capable of performing job duties but cannot drive.

Budget Concerns

On February 27th, Governor Ferguson proposed an additional $4 billion in budget cuts beyond those outlined in Governor Inslee’s proposal. While this was not a formal budget, it highlighted his priorities: K-12 education and public safety. He also made it clear that more cuts could be coming. You can view our side-by-side comparison of the budgets here.  The House and Senate budgets should be coming shortly.

Although the Governor’s proposed cuts do not currently impact eligibility or service hours, the final House and Senate budgets remain uncertain. House Democrats recently released a document providing insight into what an all cuts budget  might look like—and it’s sobering. This also gives us a glimpse into what the potential federal cuts might bring.

Federal Budget Implications

Two weeks ago, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a budget resolution, the first step toward a “Budget Reconciliation.” While this does not mean immediate cuts, it does set the overall size of the federal budget and funding allocations for the next decade.

The next step is for it to move to the Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees Medicaid and Medicare, where it has been tasked with cutting $880 billion from its budget. To put this into perspective, once Medicare and Medicaid are excluded, the remaining budget is only $581 billion. This makes it clear that deep cuts to Medicaid and Medicare are on the table.

If these budget targets pass through the committee, they will proceed to a full House vote. From there, the Senate will negotiate differences between its version and the House’s proposal, where changes could still be made.

What Can You Do?

Massive budget cuts are not inevitable, and there are still many opportunities to advocate for critical community services. Reach out to your state legislators and congressional delegation and tell them why Medicaid matters to you. Your voice can make a difference in shaping the final outcome.

Together, we can protect the essential services that so many people with disabilities rely on. Stay engaged, stay informed, and keep advocating!

Watch the Medicaid Matter Stories Here. 

Navigating the Budget Crisis: Looking to the Past or Investing in the Future?

/in , /by Sarah

Navigating the Budget Crisis: Looking to the Past or Investing in the Future?

This has been a relatively quiet time at the Legislature.  The quiet is likely because legislators are contemplating the reality of the 10- to 12-billion-dollar budget hole and how they are going to manage it.  Devastating cuts could be looming, and it is sobering. The bill cutoff is this Friday, February 21st; many bills will die, especially those that have any fiscal impact. Tough decisions are ahead and the potentially catastrophic cuts at the Federal level make it all the more difficult.  Next week we expect to see Governor Ferguson’s budget released and we anticipate even deeper cuts than were in Governor Inslee’s budget.

Sometimes difficult decisions can present opportunity.  In Governor Inslee’s budget he made the bold recommendation to close Yakima Valley School and Rainier School.  These are both very old institutional facilities for individuals with IDD, also known as Residential Habilitation Centers (RHCs). Rainier opened in 1939 and Yakima Valley in 1958.  At the peak of state-run institutions in the late sixties and early seventies, there were more than 4,000 people with IDD residing at them. Our state still has four RHCs that house about 450 residents with IDD. This represents less than 1% of the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) caseload but consumes 10% of the DDA budget. The cost for the care of the individuals and the upkeep of the facilities averages almost $1700 a day per person.  In stark contrast, the average daily cost for personal care and all waiver services for individuals living in the family home is only about $170 a day – more cost-effective by a factor of ten.

These facilities opened at a time when families had few supports and options.  Children with disabilities could not go to school and there wasn’t Supplemental Security Income or Medicaid to provide income and services. Families were left to fend for themselves.  These facilities were opened as a way to relieve these families.  Families were told that their child would be cared for throughout their entire life and that keeping them at home would ruin their families.

It is now recognized that with intervention, people with developmental disabilities grow and develop and are capable of achieving major developmental milestones. We have community resources that were not available when these facilities were established. All these factors help parents keep families together and have improved and extended the lives of individuals with IDD.  All the research shows that community-based care is “best practice” for individuals with IDD.

 

The 1999 Olmstead Supreme Court decision made clear that unnecessary institutionalization is discriminatory. Individuals have the civil right to live in their community.  18 states have now closed all their institutions.  Except for Washington, all the West Coast states have closed all of their institutions or have plans to close them in the near future.

We are at an important moment.  The threat of cuts looms large. We may be facing a time of scarcity of services.  Some people think that we need to preserve these institutions as a “last resort” placement. However, if we do this, the cost of these placements will continue to rise, and the availability of community resources will shrink.  The question we need to ask ourselves is “Do we want to continue to look to the past and perpetuate old models or do we want to look to the future and have appropriate community placements as the “last resort”? We need to invest in and strengthen the community so that everyone can live, work, learn, and play in the community.  If not now, when?

Together!

Cathy Murahashi

 

Advocacy Days Blog: Medicaid Matters

/in , /by Sarah

Medicaid Matters

Medicaid is often seen just as healthcare, but it plays a much larger role, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). For these individuals, Medicaid provides critical funding for vital services, including residential, personal care, respite, and job support. In fact, nearly all services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) are funded by Medicaid.

Watch Corinna’s story about why Medicaid Matters to her.

Medicaid is a partnership between the state and federal government. In Washington State, the federal government covers 50% of Medicaid Waiver services, while the state pays the other half. Some services, like personal care, have a slightly different funding ratio of 56% from federal and 46% from state sources.

Why should you care?

Washington State is facing a fiscal crisis that is projected to be between $10 and $12 billion over the next four years. Since most of our DDA services rely on Medicaid funding, state legislators have limited options for budget cuts without risking service reductions, eligibility changes, or decreased rates. Currently, many bills that require additional funding are being “held” until they determine the financial situation.

We know that DDA has been chronically underfunded. Cuts to our system would only cause harm.

Recently, parents Lee Springate and Bob Wheeler published an editorial in the Seattle Times expressing their concerns about cuts to state services.

“All adults with IDD are already facing service cuts because of the acute shortage of qualified caregivers. This is at a time when approximately 2,000 adults with IDD are living at home with parents over the age of 60 and in need of immediate placement outside the family home. The remaining 11,000 adults living at home will need to transition to community placement within the next 10 to 20 years, resulting in an unfunded state liability above $1 billion annually (by year 20).”

While we face these potential cuts at the state level, there are significant threats to funding happening at the federal level that could seriously impact our Medicaid services. These changes could happen quickly, so we need to be proactive with our advocacy.

What Can You Do?

For individuals with I/DD and their advocates, this situation underscores the need to advocate for our Medicaid services. It’s vital to reach out to our state legislators and Congressional representatives to protect these crucial services.

Your voice is crucial in advocating for the future of Medicaid services!

Welcome to the 2025 Legislative Session!

/in , , /by Sarah

Welcome to the 2025 Legislative Session!

Our first live Advocacy Day since the pandemic took place on Wednesday, the 15th. We were thrilled to see 90 advocates in person and 30 more joining us online! It was wonderful to see your enthusiasm and commitment to advocacy.

The day was filled with excitement, including the inauguration of our new Governor, Bob Ferguson. In his inaugural speech, Governor Ferguson outlined his key priorities: providing free school breakfasts and lunches for all public school students, increasing law enforcement presence, protecting reproductive freedom, and expanding housing opportunities. He also emphasized the importance of bipartisanship and collaboration, earning a standing ovation. We hope this is a positive sign for the days ahead.

The inaugural gala was a night of celebration that shined, sparkled, and rock & rolled.  Now that all new legislators have been sworn in, it’s time to get down to the business of lawmaking and budget planning.

Advocacy and Budget Challenges

With a new governor, staff, and legislators, there will be a learning curve on developmental disabilities (DD) issues. If you have a new legislator representing your district, take the opportunity to introduce yourself and share your story—early impressions tend to stick with them.

The state faces a projected $12-14 billion deficit over the next four years. The causes of this deficit vary depending on perspective, but key factors include increased caseloads, new programming that was started with pandemic-era federal funding and inflation. This leaves the legislature with two primary options: cutting services or raising revenue—both of which are unpopular. Agencies have already been instructed to freeze hiring, limit travel, and restrict equipment purchases. Unfortunately, the annual DD Community Summit has been canceled due to budget constraints. Advocacy will be essential to protect our vital services.

Given these financial limitations, new programs requiring significant funding are unlikely to be approved. Instead, policy bills with minimal or no fiscal impact have a better chance of progressing.

Proposed Institutional Closures

In response to the budget deficit, Governor Inslee has put forward a bold proposal to close Yakima Village School and Rainier School. Rainier is a Residential Habilitation Center (RHC), while Yakima Village provides nursing care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). 18 other states have closed all their institutions entirely, while Washington still retains 4.  Currently, 10% of the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) budget serves those in RHCs, despite them making up less than 1% of DD clients.

Legislation has been introduced in both chambers to support these closures:

It is critical that with the closure of RHCs, adequate investment in Community Services must be made to ensure a smooth transition to the community. In particular Supported Living needs rate increases so they are prepared to receive new residents.

Key Legislative Bills to Watch

  • HB 1130– Prioritizes individuals for DDA waivers when availability is limited, particularly those aged 45 and older, addressing the need for aging parents to secure long-term supports for their children.
  • HB 1200 & SB 5211– Allows parents of minor children with high support needs (E and High B categories) to be paid care providers.
  • HB 1344– Expands access to respite care by adding it as a service under the Basic Plus Aggregate services.

Several important education funding bills aim to increase special education funding by raising the cap, adjusting multipliers, and enhancing inclusive education. You can track all the bills we are following here: Bill and Budget Tracker

Get Involved!

There are many ways you can participate in advocacy efforts:

If you missed our “Medicaid Matters” town hall, you can view the recording here.

Thank you for your commitment to advocacy. Your voice matters, and together, we can make a difference!

Cathy Murahashi

2025 Advocacy Days Are Here!

/in , , /by Sarah

The 2025 Legislative Session begins on January 13th, presenting us with challenges as the legislature anticipates a $10-12 billion shortfall over the next four years. This means significant cuts, increased revenues, or a combination of both may be necessary. What does this mean for developmental disability services?

We need to advocate for the protection of our essential services!

What Can You Do? 

Join us for Advocacy Days!

Register here to learn more about the issues at hand and how you can help. Advocacy Days will take place weekly on Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.

Kick-off Event: January 15th
Join us at United Churches in Olympia for our LIVE kick-off event. The morning program will be live-streamed, and the afternoon will allow you to schedule appointments with your legislators.

Following the kick-off, the rest of the Advocacy Days will be virtual, making it easier for individuals across the state to participate. We are also coordinating with several organizations that will host live rallies in conjunction with our virtual events. Stay tuned for more details!

To view the 2025 Advocacy Days Schedule Visit and Register: https://arcwa.org/advocacy/advocacy-days/

 

Connect with your Legislator!
Many new legislators may be unfamiliar with developmental disability (DD) issues, so now is the time to educate them. Your long-standing legislators also need to hear that DD services must be a priority. Share how important these services are and urge them to protect DD services.

Find your legislator’s contact information here: Legislator Finder. For information on new legislators, visit our candidate site: 2024 Elections.

 

DD Legislative Notebook:

For issue papers and information, check out our DD Legislative Notebook: 2025 Legislative Notebook – The Arc Washington.

Sign up for our Action Network here: Action Network Sign-Up. The Arc of Washington Action Network keeps you informed about important legislative budgets and policy issues that require immediate attention, connecting you directly to your legislators.

You can also subscribe to “News to Know” to receive updates on critical issues affecting individuals with I/DD and their families. Subscribe here: https://arcwa.org/news-to-know-sign-up/

Town Hall: “Medicaid Matters”

Medicaid is more than healthcare, it funds all Home & Community Based Services for people with I/DD. The Arc of Washington State hosted a virtual town hall to discuss more about why it matters, potential service threats, and how you can be involved. Watch the recording here.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we can make a difference!

Cathy Murahashi, Public Policy Specialist, The Arc of Washington

cathy@arcwa.org

Advocacy Days, part of The Arc’s Advocacy Partnership Project, provide individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, and service providers the opportunity to engage in the legislative process, make their voices heard, and influence policy and budget decisions that impact the services and support they receive.