Health Care for Health Care Workers

Up to 80% of Americans agree that major reforms are needed. And the election on November 4th showed strong support for health care reform — a major emphasis in the Obama campaign.

One thing we must remember is that health care reform is NOT a partisan issue. There is broad public support for fixing health care sooner rather than later. Though exit polls showed health care behind the economy as a key voter issue, further probing also showed that voters consider health care the top personal economic issue they face.

What is President-elect Obama’s plan? In general, he has proposed a plan for universal coverage that would build on the current system of mixed private and public group insurance. Some of its features are similar to the universal coverage law now being implemented in Massachusetts. All employers, other than small businesses, would be required to offer health insurance to their employees or contribute to the cost.

Eligibility for Medicaid and SCHIP would be expanded. Small businesses, self-employed individuals, and people who do not have coverage through their employers, Medicaid, or SCHIP would be able to purchase a plan through a new insurance market called the National Health Insurance Exchange. Through this exchange, people could choose a private plan or a new public plan similar to that offered to federal employees and members of Congress.

Insurance carriers would be required to offer plans regardless of pre-existing conditions and could not charge premiums based on health status. Small businesses would be eligible for tax credits to offset their premium costs and individuals would be eligible for income-based premium subsidies.

This video from Obama’s campaign provides a good summary of his plan:

For a detailed explanation of his health plan, go to the Obama campaign website or see the Obama-Biden plan at change.gov.

In the weeks to come, we’re anticipating increased discussion about issues around health care reform as Congress members and a wide range of stakeholders begin to weigh in and work on building a consensus for change.

Carol Regan, Director
HCHCW
cregan@phinational.org

Download the report (pdf 1.9MB)

Report Shows High Rates of Injury, Inadequate Health Coverage May Result in Caregiver Shortage

As part of National Women’s Health Week, PHI’ Health Care for Health Care Workers Campaign will deliver a sobering report -– Invisible Care Gap: Caregivers without Health Coverage — on the health insurance status of our nation’s caregiving workforce, 90% of which is female. Based on the most recent data from the U.S. Bureau of the Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics, the report reveals that:

• Nurse aides have the highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses in the country, making it America’s most dangerous job.
• Nearly 30% of direct-care workers have no health insurance coverage, twice the rate of the general population.
• The country’s fastest-growing workforce—jobs providing in-home personal care services—is the least likely to have health coverage.
• Direct-care wages are so low (median hourly wage of $9.56/hr) that nearly 30% live in or near poverty and few can afford high cost of insurance premiums.

Update: A podcast is now available on this topic.