DSHS outlines long-term care priorities, workforce strains and federal compliance needs

Bea Rector, assistant secretary of the Aging and Long Term Support Administration at the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, told the House Health Care & Wellness Committee on Jan. 17 that the administration is focused on expanding home- and community-based supports, meeting new federal requirements, and preparing to implement the WA Cares long-term care benefits program.

Rector said DSHS serves nearly 3,000,000 Washingtonians and manages a roughly $10.4 billion biennial budget and about 27,100 employees; she said 90% of those dollars are pass-through payments that pay for direct services. "People want easy access to services that are affordable. People want choice and autonomy in where they live," Rector said.

Why it matters: Washington’s population is aging and the share of working-age residents is shrinking, Rector said, producing both a higher demand for long-term services and pressure on the direct care workforce. The administration projects substantial…