Lawsuit claims Washington state not caring for sick babies

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A lawsuit filed by an advocacy group for low-income people claims the state of Washington has not done enough to provide care for profoundly sick babies.

The News Tribune reports that Northwest Justice Project filed the federal lawsuit last week on behalf of four children and their parents.

The group says many of the babies are languishing in institutions instead of being home with their parents.

A lawyer for the group says the state is violating federal law by failing to provide 16 hours per day of skilled nursing care for the children so they can live safely at home.

The lawsuit says the Washington State Health Care Authority has not done enough to recruit or retain nurses.

The agency's spokeswoman, Amy Blondin, says they're reviewing the lawsuit but had no further comment.