Montana Long-term Care Agenda (2009)
61st Legislative Session
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.
Improve Wages for Long-term Care Workers
Montanans overwhelmingly have a desire to remain in their homes and communities when in need of long-term care. Shifting the long-term care system to home and community based services requires a stable workforce that will attract quality individuals to care for our families and neighbors.
SEIU Healthcare 775NW asks that the Montana legislature increase direct care wages or make a one-time expenditure to create a compensation package that would benefit long-term care workers.
Maintain Healthcare for Healthcare Workers
"This is the first time that I've had health insurance in years. I can go to the doctor without being afraid of choosing between paying my doctor and payming my food bill for the month."
-- Brad Erickson (Florence, Montana)
PL-22202 - The 2007 Legislature appropriated approximately $2.6 million total funds for six months beginning January 1, 2009. This was for a provider rate increase to be focused on paying health insurance premiums for healthcare workers where the employer provides health insurance coverage that meets a set of defined criteria. The funding represented a premium of $450 for approximately 950 workers over six months in 2009.
This request annualizes the provider rate increase for health insurance for a full twelve months at the current premium level. Tobacco trust interest is being used to fund a portion of this proposal to provide for expansion of health related services to provide for health insurance to direct health care workers. A total of $10.2 million is being requested, including $917,763 in general fund, $2,441,361 in state special funds and $6.9 million in federal funds.