I am my husband’s caregiver. He suffered from a debilitating stroke 10 years ago when he was 61 years old. My full time job is to take care of my husband, and because of the failing economy, the state’s ability to pay my wages is now in jeopardy. What I get from the state pays for my bills, and leaves little extra for anything else.
I have Ladies First. Ladies First is a state program that covers mammograms at a discounted price, on an annual basis. I qualify for that because of my income, and because I don’t have any other health insurance. Continue reading ‘Caught In the Gap without Health Coverage’
This past summer, HCHCW expanded into Vermont with an outreach campaign to direct-care workers about a new health care program in the state – Catamount Health. Catamount Health, in conjunction with Medicaid, the Vermont Health Access Program (VHAP) and Dr. Dynosaur (a program to insure children), offers subsidized, comprehensive health insurance to Vermonters with incomes of up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level (or individuals with a gross monthly income of $2,613). This group of programs is known as Green Mountain Care. Catamount Health went into effect in the fall of 2007. Continue reading ‘HCHCW Expands to Vermont’
“Now, some may ask how at this moment of economic challenge we can afford to invest in reforming our health care system. And I ask a different question. I ask how can we afford not to…. So let’s be clear. If we want to overcome our economic challenges, we must also finally address your health care challenge.
- President- Elect Obama
Last week, President-Elect Obama officially announced Tom Daschle as his choice for both Secretary of Health and Human Services and director of the new White House Office of Health Reform. He also named Dr. Jeanne Lambrew, who worked on health policy at the White House from 1997 to 2000, as the deputy director of Health Reform. According to a story in the New York Times, Daschle wants to establish a Federal Health Board, an independent entity like the Federal Reserve. Details of this plan are described in a book that Lambrew and Daschle recently co-wrote entitled, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.”
According to a recent web post at the Center for American Progress, where Lambrew is a Senior Fellow, Lambrew has advocated for plans that allow Americans to keep their existing coverage, while offering affordable options to those who need them. The plan would simplify Medicaid and extend coverage to those below a certain income level.
President-Elect Obama and his transition team are asking for input on health care reform. Between now and the end of the year, activists are encouraged to hold community meetings, such as a house party, to talk about health care reform and submit comments to the transition team. In particular, it is important to make sure to raise issues that effect the direct-care workforce and long-term care. Sign up to host a community meeting by visiting change.gov. It will take all of us to make sure the meaningful health care reform becomes a reality.
Allison Lee
National Policy Director
HCHCW
alee@phinational.org
Issues facing direct-care workers were highlighted at a recent “Healthcare in the Heartland” forum in Des Moines, Iowa. The event, sponsored by the University of Iowa and the Iowa Department of Public Health, focused on the implementation status of numerous provisions of House File 2539, the Health Care Reform Act, passed by the Iowa General Assembly in 2008.
Several provisions in HF 2539 focused on direct care workers. A panel, which included John Hale, Policy Director of the Iowa CareGivers Association and Diane Frerichs, a Certified Nurse Aide from Estherville, Iowa discussed the emerging crisis in the direct care workforce and the activities underway to address their training, certification, wages and health care benefits.
The event was attended by 250 health care insurers and providers, elected leaders, representatives of state government agencies, citizen advocates and others interested in health care reform initiatives. United States Senator Tom Harkin, the featured speaker, spoke at length about the prospect for health care reform in an Obama Administration, and of his work with Senator Ted Kennedy to insure consideration of reform initiatives in 2009.
John Hale offered this comment on the day: “This forum provided us with an opportunity to discuss direct care worker issues on the same level and with the same seriousness as other health care issues. Having Diane speak from the heart about the work she does, and why she does it, brought a powerful human element to the day. Our hope is that attendees left thinking differently about direct care workers and the work they do, and recognizing the need to continue the efforts begun in Iowa to insure that direct care workers are well paid, adequately benefitted and receiving excellent initial and ongoing training.”
John Hale
Policy Director
Iowa CareGivers Association
hale_johnd@msn.com
I work for the Rockwell Assisted Living Facility and get health insurance through my employer. Even though I have health insurance, the only plan I can afford has a $1,500 deductible and very high co-pays. Ironically, the plan I can’t afford is very good with low premiums and little co-pays.
Because I can only afford the plan with the $1,500 deductible, I have thought about not purchasing health insurance at all. Even though I have health insurance, I can’t use it, and therefore see it as a waste of money. However, I keep paying it because I just can’t risk ending up in the hospital and not having any health insurance at all to fall back on.
I need health insurance that I can afford and that provides me with the coverage I need. I need good coverage, and I need it now, before I get sick and can’t provide my consumers with the daily support they need and deserve.
Melanie Knox
West Milton, PA
I am my husband’s caregiver. He suffered from a debilitating stroke 10 years ago when he was 61 years old. My full time job is to take care of my husband, and because of the failing economy, the state’s ability to pay my wages is now in jeopardy. What I get from the state pays for my bills, and leaves little extra for anything else.
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