Legislature Wraps up Public Testimony on Governor’s Budget
On Monday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee held the final public hearing to hear comments on the Governor’s proposed budget. Judy Harris from Port Orchard gave a moving presentation about the impact of the cuts on her client. For the next several weeks, we’ll be meeting with legislators one-on-one about the budget. The next budget proposal is expected to come out in mid-February.
Click on the video below to watch her testimony. It was really good!
Caregivers Discuss Challenges Facing the Long-Term Care System
On Tuesday, Susie Young from Spokane and Sharon Kitchel-Perdue from Olympia discussed the challenges recruiting and retaining qualified workers, and the impact of the proposed cuts to health insurance and home care hours on consumers and caregivers. They were invited to make presentations before the House Health and Human Services Appropriations committee.
Click here to read more and see video of their testimony.
Nursing Home Workers from Nine Facilities Join Conference Call
On Wednesday, nursing home workers from Aldercrest, Georgian House, Sun Ballard, Sun Mercer Island, Mount St. Vincent, Hillcrest, Extendicare Pacific, Sunnyside and Vashon Island joined the first SEIU Healthcare 775NW nursing home legislative conference call of the year.
Click here for details.
Legislation
Funding for Nursing Homes: A new bill was introduced last week to create a dedicated fund for nursing homes. The bill, introduced by Representative Tami Green in the House (HB 3021) and Senator Rosa Franklin in the Senate (SB 6751) would create a dedicated fund for nursing homes and would help bring additional federal money to Washington to prevent cuts to nursing homes.
Career Pathway for Home Care Workers: Legislation was introduced in both the House (HB 2766) and the Senate (SB 6582) creating a career pathway for home care workers, making it easier for them to move into other high-demand healthcare fields. Sen. Karen Keiser and Rep. Eileen Cody are prime sponsors of the bill. They both have strong bi-partisan support. Sen. Derek Kilmer is also sponsoring a bill - SB 6662 - to help create career pathways for home care aides.
Purple Presence
This week’s Purple Presence was great! We had 12 members and 2 clients. Members met with legislators, delivered postcards and attended a hearing. They also made over 200 reminder calls for Lobby Day in between their visits.
Several members attended for the first time – including Melba Navas, Cynthia Wesley-Nordblad and Isabella “Boots” Chambers. Other members who attended were Johnny George, Margaret Singh, June Taputoa, Mike Roth, Heather Miller, Dawn Forks and Phil Bradford.
Click below for pictures.
Here’s what’s coming up this week
Monday: Senate Committee Considers Career Pathway Bill
On Monday, the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee will be considering SB 6581.
Click here for more details about this important piece of legislation.
Thursday: Purple Power at the Capitol
Every Thursday, small groups of long-term care workers will come to Olympia to meet with legislators. It’s our way of staying visible throughout the session (not just on Save Long-Term Care Day – Monday, January 25).
Since Save Long-Term Care Day was this week, we will NOT have Purple Presence this week.
Click on this website or call our Member Resource Center toll-free at 1 (866) 371-3200 to find out when members from your district are coming to the Capitol. If you don’t know which district you live in, you can find out by clicking on this website.
Reminders
Feb. 2: Adult Day Health Legislative Day
Adult Day Health workers and clients from across the state will be participating in Adult Day Health Legislative Day. 600 seniors and people with disabilities are at risk of losing access to adult day health services under current budget proposals. We’re working closely with a coalition of groups that support adult day health services.
Feb. 15: Revenue Rally
The Rebuilding our Economic Future coalition is organizing a Revenue Rally at 12pm on Monday, February 15th on the steps of the Capitol Building. It will be an opportunity for us to flex our collective muscle and show that there is broad based support for a balanced approach to our budget problems.