Montana

Andy Stern Praises Introduction of Health Care Reform Bill that includes a Public Option; Cites Joan Nemeth from Billings, MT

July 2, 2009 (WASHINGTON, DC) -- Service Employees International Union President Andy Stern released the following statement on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee's release of their complete bill.


"Can't, hopeless and impossible are not part of Joan Nemeth's working vocabulary. As an in-home healthcare worker in Billings, Montana, Nemeth helps clients with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, cooking, exercises, medications, and taking the time to just sit and talk. While she performs miracles helping a quadriplegic client gain more flexibility or a developmentally disabled client gain more independence, she could not properly take care of herself for 14 years because she did not have any healthcare coverage.

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Montana Home Care Worker Will Participate in ABC News Event at the White House

Wednesday, June 24 -- Pat DeJong, a home care worker and member of SEIU Healthcare 775NW from Montana, has been invited to the White House to participate in an ABC News Special Event “Questions for the President: Prescription for America”. It will air on Wednesday evening from 10:00pm to 11:00pm. The show will continue at 11:30pm on Nightline.

She will be in the East Room of the White House. Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer will moderate the discussion. Pat is most likely the only home care worker who is participating. There may be a few other long-term care workers.

» Read Pat's story...

Another Successful Convention!

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Members help Win $90 Million Dollars in the 2009 Montana Legislative Session

Our top priorities in the Montana Legislature were to ensure affordable health care and a raise for home care workers, and expand access to home care services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Summary

• Healthcare for Healthcare Workers: $10.5 million / 950 slots
• Wage Increases for Workers: $12.4 million
• Expanding Home Care Services: $8.9 million
• Provider Rate Increase: $60 million

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Caregivers Lobby Legislators in Helena

(Thursday, January 29) -- Dozens of SEIU Healthcare 775NW members from across Big Sky Country - from Libby to Lame Deer - descended on the State Capitol Jan. 28-29 for our first ever Montana Lobby Days. We advocated for health care and living wages for caregivers. We urged legislators to maintain support for two policies we won during the 2007 legislative session: The first gave a modest hourly raise to in-home caregivers and other low-paid workers who attend to some of the state’s most vulnerable people. The second ensured that those same workers would have access to affordable health care.

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Montana Long-term Care Agenda (2009)

The average wage for long-term care workers (in-home care and nursing home workers) is well below a living wage in Montana, and few can afford quality health benefits. SEIU Healthcare 775NW supports a targeted investment to improve wages and benefits for homecare workers in order to reduce turnover and retain qualified individuals providing quality care. Investing in caregivers is an investment in the quality of care Montanas receive.

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