Home care aides are not taking a proposed $28.1 million cut to their healthcare benefits lying down.
Since April, caregivers have been organizing around the state to raise awareness about the life-altering budget cuts proposed by Senate Republicans. Demonstrators have called on their state senators to work across the aisle to find a way to support long-term-care service providers in Washington state.
State of Play for Home Care Aide Healthcare Benefits
State Republican Senators are attempting to fund tax breaks for the wealthy by defunding health insurance for caregivers. Under their budget, the Health Benefits Trust – the home care aide healthcare group – would suffer $28.1 million reduction in funding. To accommodate the loss in funding, the Benefits Group would have to change eligibility requirements and require a 500 percent increase in premiums, which could put the cost of healthcare out of reach for most caregivers.
There are thousands of caregivers all over the state who could see a rise in healthcare costs if the Legislature moves forward in gutting their healthcare.
Standing Stronger Together
For demonstrators like Cindy Thao and Bunrod Harvey, two local caregivers living Snohomish and King counties, Senate Republicans’ commitment to defunding their healthcare benefits prompted them to reach out to the public for support.
“Healthcare is not just a budget line item for tens of thousands of home care aides,” said Adam Glickman, Secretary-Treasurer of SEIU 775. “Healthcare is a well-deserved safety-net when caregivers need care. This will impact thousands of caregivers. Even parents who sacrificed full-time careers could be forced off their healthcare if this budget cut goes through. If they become sick, who will care for their adult child?”
In addition to local demonstrations, home care aides have been calling and emailing their state senators urging them to vote against these massive cuts to caregiver health benefits. To date, SEIU 775 members made 5,300+ calls and sent 10,000+ emails into the Legislature.
The decision to save funding for the home care aide health-insurance program will be decided upon this fiscal year. Budget negotiations between the House and Senate have reached a stalemate after Gov. Inslee extended the regular legislative session through May 24.
To stand with caregivers, take action today by calling the legislative hotline at (844) 669-0064. Leave a message for your Senator telling them to stand with home care workers.