On June 12, Tracy Lawless and Simone Baer of HCHCW PA spoke at the Consumers Union’s Cover America Tour press event in Pittsburgh. The two discussed the need for affordable health care for direct-care workers — and all Pennsylvanians.
Tracy spoke (pdf) about the role health care coverage for direct-care workers plays in providing quality care for America’s greatest generation. “It has been shown before that affordable health care is key to keeping direct-care workers in their jobs,” she says. “This retention is critical to consistency of care.
“Long-term consumers lose the stable relationships with their caregivers when there is high turnover. Family members and friends may have to stand in if a worker misses a shift due to injuries or illnesses. Workers may forego care until a treatable health condition becomes an emergency because they cannot afford to pay the medical bills without insurance.”
She also shared the personal stories of two workers and an employer who have felt the impact of the lack of affordable health insurance at their jobs and in their personal life.
House Bill 2005 and Senate Bill 1137, which would provide affordable health coverage to numerous Pennsylvanians, are still being held up in the Pennsylvania State Senate.
