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Long-term care and hospital groups seek changes to LVN respiratory-care language in sunset bill
Summary
SB 13 04 extends the respiratory care board and clarifies allowed tasks for LVNs; hospitals, skilled-nursing and long-term care groups told the committee the amendments leave gaps and urged consistent authorization across care settings.
SB 13 04 would continue the Respiratory Care Board and clarify that suctioning is a basic respiratory task. Christine Molina, executive officer of the respiratory care board, said the bill preserves rigorous licensure standards and helps protect consumers.
Opposition came from groups representing skilled nursing facilities, hospitals and long-term care providers that said the bill's LVN language continues to cause confusion and could result in care disruptions and higher costs. Yvonne Chung of the California Association of Health Facilities asked that SNFs and hospitals be included among exempted facilities where LVNs can be trained and provide specified respiratory tasks; LeadingAge California and the California Hospital Association raised similar concerns and asked for consistent rules across care settings.
Committee members and staff acknowledged the concerns and said amendments would continue to be discussed.
