Nursing Home Workers Rally for Funding in Olympia

Friday, February 12

Nursing home workers are voicing support for a new funding source for nursing homes in Washington. It's known as a Quality Assurance Fee, and it is already used in more than 30 other states.

Donna Peake, a certified nurse's assistant in Vancouver, says such a dedicated funding source would be welcome. Cuts by her employer have meant fewer caregivers, and more frustration for staff and residents, she says.

"You've got to take shortcuts to meet the care; to try to get things done when you're working with that many residents. It's hard. It hurts me, because I know I'm better than that, but because we don't have the staff, I can't deliver the quality care that they need to have."

The House bill (HB 3021) to create the fee is sponsored by Representative Tami Green of Lakewood, a registered nurse who has worked in long-term care facilities. It has 23 co-sponsors. The Senate bill is SB 6751.

Click here to hear the radio story.

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