Are consumers in a nursing home being told they cannot receive waiver services because there aren't enough workers to care for them? If yes, we have a problem we need to work on with the intake and enrollment of new consumers in Pennsylvania, because this is simply not true. If no, the savings identified in the article by transitioning consumers to their homes from nursing homes can be realized through a policy commitment from the government in the absence of a public authority model like that of a CWC. In fact, given the acknowledged challenges with the budget situation, a savings of $46,000 / consumer / year (if it is, in fact, real) seems to be low-hanging fruit for any fiscal manager to pluck. If the numbers are accurate, it's an entirely obvious way to address the budget challenges.
On to those states with CWCs. It cost Washington $3.7 million in the first year, $6.8 million over the next couple of years to implement the commission there(American Journal of Law & Medicine). The union supporting the creation of the commission is now suing the state because of budget cuts proposed in the face of the financial crisis(Seattle Times). Oregon had to add a line item into the budget for a Homecare Union Benefits Board which bills the state for insurance premiums for qualifying direct care workers (hubbinsurance.org) - a viable option, but one that could have been done in the absence of any commission. California direct care workers are having trouble accessing workers' compensation insurance (study by UCSF Personal Assistance Center), and cases of fraud within the program are growing at an incredible rate (Los Angeles Times). While worker contracts in Massachusetts will remain intact, current budget proposals are scaling back consumer services to make up the shortfall.
Do workers need a better wage and benefits? Yes, absolutely. As a matter of fact, this issue has been identfied by the Community Living Advisory Committee (CLAC) which is made up of the same stakeholders recommended to make up the CWC. The CLAC was charged by DPW to provide policy recommendations to the aging and disability administrators. Could the CLAC be more influential in its advocacy efforts, and should more people know about it? Yes. Bring it together with the PA Direct Care Workers Association, and you've got a powerful advocate group right at the doorstep to the state department that crafts the policy for the system.
There's a lot more to be said, but the bottom line - the CWC is a way to go, sure. But let's not paint the picture that it's the only way, especially when there are plenty of viable alternatives if we all take a look at the facts, and actually care enough to examine alternatives before letting one interest group or another form our opinions.
Patient seeks care for home aides
Are consumers in a nursing home being told they cannot receive waiver services because there aren't enough workers to care for them? If yes, we have a problem we need to work on with the intake and enrollment of new consumers in Pennsylvania, because this is simply not true. If no, the savings identified in the article by transitioning consumers to their homes from nursing homes can be realized through a policy commitment from the government in the absence of a public authority model like that of a CWC. In fact, given the acknowledged challenges with the budget situation, a savings of $46,000 / consumer / year (if it is, in fact, real) seems to be low-hanging fruit for any fiscal manager to pluck. If the numbers are accurate, it's an entirely obvious way to address the budget challenges.
On to those states with CWCs. It cost Washington $3.7 million in the first year, $6.8 million over the next couple of years to implement the commission there(American Journal of Law & Medicine). The union supporting the creation of the commission is now suing the state because of budget cuts proposed in the face of the financial crisis(Seattle Times). Oregon had to add a line item into the budget for a Homecare Union Benefits Board which bills the state for insurance premiums for qualifying direct care workers (hubbinsurance.org) - a viable option, but one that could have been done in the absence of any commission. California direct care workers are having trouble accessing workers' compensation insurance (study by UCSF Personal Assistance Center), and cases of fraud within the program are growing at an incredible rate (Los Angeles Times). While worker contracts in Massachusetts will remain intact, current budget proposals are scaling back consumer services to make up the shortfall.
Do workers need a better wage and benefits? Yes, absolutely. As a matter of fact, this issue has been identfied by the Community Living Advisory Committee (CLAC) which is made up of the same stakeholders recommended to make up the CWC. The CLAC was charged by DPW to provide policy recommendations to the aging and disability administrators. Could the CLAC be more influential in its advocacy efforts, and should more people know about it? Yes. Bring it together with the PA Direct Care Workers Association, and you've got a powerful advocate group right at the doorstep to the state department that crafts the policy for the system.
There's a lot more to be said, but the bottom line - the CWC is a way to go, sure. But let's not paint the picture that it's the only way, especially when there are plenty of viable alternatives if we all take a look at the facts, and actually care enough to examine alternatives before letting one interest group or another form our opinions.
May 6, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. permalink suggest removal