“Worker’s rights advocates and nursing home providers say Washington has a long-term care workforce crisis, and that inadequate benefits in the nursing home industry are part of the problem.
Legislation moving through Olympia – known as the Essential Worker Healthcare Program – would provide affordable health insurance to nursing home workers.
Alicia Harris is a certified nursing assistant, or CNA, at a skilled nursing facility. She said a family of four has to pay $1,200 a month for insurance, with a high deductible and a 30% co-pay.
“It’s money that we could be putting towards, you know, groceries,” said Harris. “We could be putting towards rent, savings. It’s tough.”
Nursing home employers who join the new program would receive a payment from the state to provide at least platinum level health plans, which would be matched by Medicaid.
Employees could participate for about $50 a month.
Supporters of the legislation say poor nursing home benefits fuel an extremely high CNA turnover rate. Harris said when there isn’t enough staff, the residents don’t get the care they deserve.
“I love my residents,” said Harris. “I love doing what I do, and I would hate to leave them just because of health insurance. But at the same time, it is a financial burden on me and my family.”
Over the next ten years, the number of people who need long-term care in Washington, especially nursing home care, is expected to grow rapidly.
At the current rate, there won’t be enough skilled care-givers to meet the need. Two Essential Workers Healthcare Program bills are currently in committee in Olympia.”