SEIU Healthcare 775NW Legislative Update
March 6, 2008
Improved Wages and Benefits for Nursing Home Workers
There are four important steps in developing the state’s budget: 1) The governor proposes her budget in December, 2) The state House of Representatives releases their budget proposal, 3) The state Senate releases their budget proposal, and 4) The governor, and leaders from the House and Senate meet to resolve their differences and negotiate a final budget. This year, Governor Chris Gregoire included $7.3 million in new money to improve wages and benefits for Nursing Home workers in her budget proposal. The House of Representatives included no new money. The Senate included $5 million in their proposal.
As of today the three sides are negotiating a final budget. We are pushing them to stick with Governor Gregoire’s original number. All three budgets also include vendor rate increases for nursing homes and we're also pressing legislators to eliminate unfair occupancy penalties.
Background Information: See Update from February 29, 2008
Training for Caregivers
The Long-Term Care Task Force established by the Legislature last year recommended an 85 hour training starndard and certification process for all LTC workers. This year, the House passed legislation that included a 35 hour training standard, barely more than the current training (which is 34 hours).
We are working with Governor Gregoire and the state Senate to amend that legislation so that it would significantly increase current standards. If the Legislature fails to include a real training standard, we are prepared to file an initiative that would accomplish this.
The Legislature is also close to passing a bill (SB 6804) that would provide grants to community colleges to create long-term care worker training centers. This legislation passed the Senate unanimously and has passed through several committees in the House. It is currently waiting for a full vote in the House of Representatives. Senator Derek Kilmer (above right), Rep. Troy Kelley and Rep. Mike Sells have shown real leadership on this issue.
Background Information: See Update from February 28, 2008
Home Care Accountability
While most home care agencies across the State are responsible employers who provide high quality care to client consumers, some agencies engage in irresponsible practices. For example, some have a history of flagrant violations of wage and hour laws; others “poach” family providers, charging the state an extra $5/hr without providing any additional value. We supported legislation (SB 6601) that would have prevented home care companies with widespread wage and hour violations from getting contracts to provide services.
Unfortunately, this legislation did not pass this year. We will continue to work on this issue and will continue to push for home care accountability next year.
Working Families Tax Credit
Washington’s tax system is fundamentally unfair – the wealthiest pay only 3% of their income in state and local taxes, while low-income families pay 17% of their income. Meanwhile, there are more than 500 tax loopholes that give a break to wealthy corporations.
The Working Families Tax Credit would be equal to 10% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and would provide $53 million in tax cuts to low-income families.
As of today, the legislation (SB 6809) has passed the Senate and has passed the House Finance Committee. It should be considered by the full House later this week. Sen. Craig Pridemore (right) sponsored the bill.
Take Action! Tell Your State Representative to Give Working Families a Break!
Background Information: Washington Tax Fairness Coalition; Washington State Budget and Policy Center; Seattle Times article by former Governor Gary Locke
Washington Citizens’ Work Group on Health Care
Our health care system needs to be fixed. But how? One of the proposals we support is the creation of a Work Group to review a range of health care reform proposals. At a minimum, the work group will consider the following proposals: 1) a proposal to allow mandate-free insurance products for young adults ages 19-35, (similar to SB 6030); 2) a proposal to allow a health insurance exchange or connector (similar to SB 6574 and the federal employee health benefit plan; 3) a proposal to provide a guaranteed catastrophic benefit and preventive benefit for all residents (described in SB 6603); 4) a proposal to provide standardized coverage for all residents (described in SB 6221) and 5) a proposal to establish a single-payer system (similar to the the Canadian model and described in SB 5756).
The work group, consisting of legislators and representatives from business, labor, health care providers, consumer groups and experts in health care financing and health care ethics, would hold meetings across the state. It would provide information describing underlying health care issues, the health care proposals under review, and principles guiding the evaluation of the proposals. Their report would be due in December 2009.
This bill (SB 6333) has passed the Senate and is awaiting full consideration by the House.
Insurance Rate Accountability
Health insurance rates have been rising over the past several years. For those on individual insurance plans, there has been no review process to ensure that the rate increases have been justified. This legislation, SB 5261, will give the insurance commissioner the opportunity to review proposed rate increases and slow down rising premiums.
This legislation has passed both the House and the Senate. Governor Gregoire is expected to sign the bill into law.
Background Information: Seattle P-I Editorial; Seattle Times Article
Prescription Privacy
Big Pharmaceutical companies use data mining to access the prescribing records of doctors and then use that information to sell the doctors their products. Many doctors report being subsequently harassed by salesman who push them to change what drugs they prescribe. This bill (SB 6241) would protect the privacy of your prescription informaiton and prohibit the sale or use of prescription data (specific to each physician) without your doctor’s consent.
This bill was passed by the Senate and is awaiting a vote in the House.