After years of roadblocks and political controversy, the state’s long-term care program, the WA Cares Fund, is finally moving toward full implementation.

The fund will begin a limited rollout in early 2026, as the state prepares to invest program dollars following voter approval of a constitutional amendment allowing investments in stocks and other equities. While WA Cares will open in select counties in January, its investment strategy will ramp up more gradually.

Starting Jan. 6, the program will be piloted in four counties for a small group of applicants and beneficiaries: Lewis, Mason, Thurston and Spokane. Jessica Nelson, a spokesperson for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, said the pilot will test the system before a full launch in July to ensure a smoo

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