Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1956 NO. 222 >

Portion of Section 13, Chapter 273, Laws of 1955 (RCW 74.09.120) requiring nursing homes to justify rates charged is constitutional.  Extent of inquiry requested by department is limited to information which reasonably relates to cost of operation of nursing home, which affects charge to state for care of recipients of public assistance and medical indigents.  Absent express contract, department not empowered to make retroactive payments to nursing homes on the sole basis of facts hereafter determined relating to costs of operation hereafter determined by Department of Public Assistance.