SEIU Healthcare 775NW's Legislative Agenda
Our legislative agenda is built around two simple messages: Save Long Term Care and Stop the Cuts. We are asking the legislature to 1) Protect Agency Parity and Affordable Healthcare for Agency Home Care Workers, 2) Reject Cuts to Eligibility or Hours of Care for Home Care Services; 3) Protect Low-wage Nursing Home Workers; 4) Oppose Further Delays to Voter-Approved Initiative 1029 (the Training Initiative); 5) Protect Adult Day Health Services.
Our State is facing a $2.6 billion deficit. It is essential that the legislature adopt a balanced approach to balancing the budget – one that includes revenue. In order to prepare for the future, it’s also important that the State invests in the future of healthcare.
Click here to download a .pdf version (397 KB)
Our First “GLO” Joins the Team
Cathy Byrd, our first Grassroots Legislative Organizer (GLO), started work last Thursday. One of the first things she did was attend a workshop on the best way to help legislators understand the need for more revenue. (This will be one of our biggest issues this session.) You’ll be seeing Cathy around the Capitol and getting regular reports from her throughout the session.
Read the article about her on our website.
Members Attend Town Halls
Our members attended town hall meetings in Bellevue, Vancouver and Seattle. They spoke directly with legislators and explained the impact the proposed budget cuts will have on our clients, families and communities.
Shannon DeMuth spoke with Representative Ross Hunter and Senator Rodney Tom in the 48th legislative district. Other members spoke with Representative Tim Probst in the 17th legislative district and with Representative Bob Hasegawa in the 11th legislative district. We’re making our voices heard on revenue even before the session starts!
Members Get the Media’s Attention
On Wednesday, January 6th, several members joined long-term care advocates at press conferences around the state to raise awareness about the impact of the cuts. Tanika Thompson and Ivy Williams were at the event in Seattle. Valerie Anderson-Webb was at the event in Spokane. Carla Ponce and Charlene Corbray was at the event in Yakima.
Click here to see some of the news coverage.
Here’s what’s coming up this week
Monday: Sending a Message
We have joined a coalition of groups - Rebuilding Our Economic Future - fighting to protect long-term care, health care, education and other services. On Monday, we will deliver thousands of signatures on a petition urging the Governor and Legislature to stop the cuts and consider raising revenue. (More than 500 of our members signed the online petition.)
Tuesday: Take Two on the Budget
When Governor Gregoire released her budget in December, she described it as “unjust”. The cuts were just too deep. We understand that her revised budget will restore some of the worst cuts to long-term care services. (You can also check our website Tuesday afternoon for details.)
Wednesday/Thursday: Can We Get a Witness?
Our members will testify before several budget committees in both the House and the Senate. They will do their best to explain the impact of the proposed cuts on caregivers, seniors, and people with disabilities.
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).
This week, members from the 11th, 20th, 22nd, 27th, 29th, 33rd, and 37th districts will be the first group to come down to Olympia.
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
Save Long-Term Care Day
Don’t forget about Save Long-Term Care Day on Monday, January 25. Hundreds of caregivers will be coming to Olympia to help save long-term care and stop the cuts. If you’ve already registered, you’ll be getting your bus information and other details in the mail this week. If you haven’t registered, call our Member Resource Center toll-free at 1 (866) 371-3200 today!