Schmick receives award from older adult care group

LeadingAge Washington announced June 13 that 9th Legislative District Rep. Joe Schmick and 12th Legislative District Sen. Linda Evans Parlette were named 2016 Legislators of the Year at their annual Awards of Excellence ceremony. The award recognizes state policymakers who have made significant contributions in advocating for Washington state's older adults and advancing the work of aging service providers.

During the 2016 legislative session, Schmick and Parlette passed key legislation that improves the access to care and information for Washington residents living in long-term care facilities. Schmick led stakeholders in creating an improved payment system for Washington's skilled nursing facilities and helped craft a registration process for Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) standardizing the disclosure of information important to resident choice.

Working closely together, Schmick and Parlette reduced a rate penalty that skilled nursing facilities face for caring for residents with lower levels of nursing needs. Additionally, Parlette was successful in modernizing the long-term care pharmacy laws that ensure residents in long-term care facilities have timely access to critically necessary medications.

"We are extremely grateful for Rep. Schmick's and Sen. Parlette's leadership in support of our skilled nursing facility, CCRC and assisted living members as they continually strive to improve the lives of those they serve," LeadingAge Washington CEO Deb Murphy said in a news release.

Schmick's 9th District includes Asotin, Garfield, Franklin, Adams, Whitman and south Spokane counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and has been sent back to Olympia by voters four times.

LeadingAge Washington is the largest state association representing the continuum of care for that state's aging population. With over 180 not-for-profit and mission driven member providers LeadingAge Washington supports meaningful choices in long-term services and supports for over 50,000 older Washingtonians.