A plan to transfer skilled nursing beds from Seattle to Issaquah drew questions and concerns Feb. 28 during a state hearing over the proposal.

Horizon House of Seattle, a continuing care retirement community, which closed or “banked” 56 beds eight years ago, wants to use those beds at Issaquah’s Timber Ridge – 36 now and the remaining 20 as the facility expands. If Horizon House does not place the beds back in operation by June, they will be permanently forfeited.

“There is a real and significant decrease in the number of nursing home beds throughout the county,” said Bob Anderson, CEO of Horizon House.

In 2008, Timber Ridge was granted state permission to operate 36 skilled nursing beds at its Briarwood Health Center to serve both its own residents and people from the community. However, permission to take individuals from the community has expired.

“Horizon House is now proposing to lease the current Briarwood Health Center space, and to occupy it with our currently banked beds, assuring that the nursing home will continue to admit outside patients, preserving choice,” Anderson said.

Anderson added that day-to-day operations would remain the same, so residents wouldn’t notice any changes.

Lisa Stubenrauch, the administrator for Issaquah Nursing and Rehabilitation, and Chris Bosworth, the administrator at Providence Marianwood have a different view.

Stubenrauch questioned Briarwood’s financial viability while Bosworth questioned Briarwood’s staffing for Medicaid, which has “unique requirements.”

Grant Linacre, the administrator at Timber Ridge, said they already have staff who are very familiar with Medicaid requirements.

Bosworth asked if it was the intention of Horizon House to sell the beds eventually. Anderson said at the conclusion of the project they would be transferred to Timber Ridge.

Liz Tidyman, who is a volunteer Washington State Certified long-term care ombudsman, was at the hearing speaking as a citizen rather than an ombudsman, because her parents reside at Timber Ridge.

Tidyman said Briarwood residents have limited access to some of the amenities enjoyed by Timber Ridge residents, are excluded from information about events, opportunities and changes in the Timber Ridge community, have no voice on the Timber Ridge resident council and are excluded from resident update meetings.

Tidyman said she doesn’t believe this is out of malice, rather thoughtless disregard for their basic human dignity.

A decision on Horizon House’s proposal is expected by April 29. If it is approved, Briarwood would still have to apply for a license from DSHS.