In the News

OLYMPIA (April 10, 2013) – SEIU Healthcare 775NW today issued the following statement in response to the House budget proposal for the 2013 – 2015 biennium:

“There now is clear bi-partisan support in both chambers of the Washington legislature to lift home care aides out of poverty by funding the home care contract with parity. If passed, the modest pay raise – just $0.50/hour per year – would be the first for Washington’s 43,000 home care aides since 2008,” said SEIU Healthcare 775NW Secretary-Treasurer Adam Glickman. “We applaud the House Democrats for making long-term services and supports a priority; for funding services for our most vulnerable over tax loopholes; and for their support for expanding Medicaid which will provide quality health coverage to more than 250,000 currently uninsured Washingtonians.

“We thank the House Democrats for rejecting a proposed cut to home care hours. We will strongly oppose cuts to home care services in any budget.

“We now encourage the legislature and the governor to adopt a final budget that funds the home care contract, expands Medicaid, and raises enough revenue by closing tax loopholes to avoid further cuts to the most vulnerable.”

OLYMPIA (April 3, 2013) – SEIU Healthcare 775NW today issued the following statement in response to the Senate budget proposal for the 2013 – 2015 biennium:

“On behalf of our 43,000 members and the more than 50,000 seniors and people with disabilities for whom our members provide daily supports and services, we applaud the Senate budget writers for funding the home care contract and helping homecare aides take a modest step out of poverty,” said SEIU 775 Secretary Treasurer Adam Glickman. “We also appreciate their support for expanding Medicaid – there is now a clear bi-partisan consensus for expanding access to affordable healthcare through the ACA and helping home care workers take a step out of poverty.

“We are very disappointed, however, that the Senate budget proposes further deep cuts to hours of home care services to vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities. These cuts – on top of repeated reductions over the last four years – will put the quality of care for our most vulnerable at risk.

“We encourage the legislature to adopt a final budget that funds the home care contract, expands Medicaid, and raises enough revenue through closing tax loopholes to avoid further cuts to the most vulnerable.”

#CoverMe Rally sends message to Olympia to fund Medicaid expansion covering more than 250,000 people, saving the state $225 million and adding 10,000 jobs

SEATTLE – More than tourists flocked to Pike Place Market Thursday. Dozens of everyday Washingtonians rallied outside the Pike Market Medical Clinic calling for full implementation of Medicaid expansion, including many SEIU Healthcare 775NW members. “Cover Me,” they chanted, as nearly 100 umbrellas printed with “Cover Me” opened in unison creating a display that rivaled the floral bouquets in the Public Market.

“Just because I work in the service industry doesn’t mean I shouldn’t have health insurance,” said Cassie Cotham, 27, of Seattle, a volunteer with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. She delayed seeking medical care because she was uninsured, but two years ago she became so ill she could no longer work. Cotham was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “Medicaid expansion would allow people like me to seek necessary medical care and not worry about balancing bills with going to the doctor.”

Cotham isn’t alone. More than 261,000 low-income Washington residents would be covered under Medicaid expansion, if the Legislature acts this session. The expansion would use Federal dollars to expand coverage to thousands of people, would save $225 million dollars and add 10,000 jobs statewide.

“Too often we see people desperately ill in the emergency rooms of our hospitals because they’ve postponed seeking treatment due to a lack of insurance coverage,” said Susan Tekola, a nurse with SEIU Healthcare 1199NW. “We support Medicaid expansion because it makes sense to provide quality coverage for all Washington residents allowing them to enjoy more healthy, productive lives.”

People at the rally wrote messages on two umbrellas which will be delivered to Washington House Speaker Frank Chopp and Senate Majority Leader Rodney Tom urging the Legislature to act swiftly.

“We hope our political leaders hear the message that Washington’s bounty should include not just salmon, great coffee and wonderful produce,” said Lynne Treat, of Chehalis. She’s a volunteer with AARP of Washington. She spoke Thursday about the need for people between ages 50 to 64 to have coverage. “All Washingtonians deserve quality health care.”

A recent Elway poll found that two-thirds of state residents support Medicaid expansion. Studies show that people without health insurance have a greater risk of prolonged illnesses, disability and death.

The rally was organized by the Healthy Washington Coalition, which represents a broad range of more than 70 organizations across the state.

OLYMPIA, Wash. (Feb. 28, 2013) – SEIU Healthcare 775NW Secretary-Treasurer Adam Glickman today responded to the Washington State Supreme Court ruling on Initiative 1053.

“We applaud the Supreme Court for upholding the Constitution and finding that it’s unconstitutional to allow 17 senators to block a majority vote to close tax loopholes. We urge the Legislature to adopt common sense measures like extending current taxes and closing unproductive and unaccountable tax loopholes to balance the budget in a sustainable way that funds the quality services voters want,” Glickman said. “We urge lawmakers to help lift caregivers out of poverty by fully finding the homecare aide contract with parity to ensure that our state’s seniors and people with disabilities receive quality support and services.”