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WA voters to decide future of long-term care program

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Monday, October 21, 2024   

Ballots are showing up in people's mailboxes and one of the measures Washingtonians will decide on is the fate of a long-term care program in the state.

Initiative 2124 asks voters whether to make the WA Cares program optional.

Under the program, workers contribute about 0.5% of their paychecks for access to $36,000 of long-term care benefits.

Sam Hatzenbeler, senior policy associate with the Economic Opportunity Institute, said the program would have benefited her father when he needed care in 2022.

She said she believes he would have lived longer if he had access to those funds.

"It's hard enough when you're caring for someone, especially a parent, especially at the end of their life, and you just want the best for them," said Hatzenbeler. "And you shouldn't have to be thinking about a second mortgage or selling the family tractor or all these kinds of things to be able to pay for the care that they need."

The benefits will be available starting in 2026 and the amount will increase with inflation. Opponents of Initiative 2124 say WA Cares will be unsustainable if it's made optional.

Supporters say workers deserve to choose whether they contribute to the program and that the available benefit is inadequate.

Melissa Watts is a caregiver for her son, Max, who is developmentally and physically disabled. She said she opposes the initiative.

Watts said the WA Cares funds will be especially beneficial for her children when she needs care, providing a cushion for her other kids to figure out what's best for her and her son.

"If all we need to have is a wheelchair ramp in the house for mom, if we can have somebody come in and care for mom and Max," said Watts. "It will open up a set of options that without this is just going to be a total crash halt for our family."

Hatzenbeler noted the fund will also be available for young people if they were injured.

"It's not just for older people. It's for all of us," said Hatzenbeler. "We all will need long-term care, most likely, at some point in our lives, and we shouldn't go bankrupt to get it."

Ballots are due by November 5.



Disclosure: Economic Opportunity Institute and SEIU 775 contribute to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Education, Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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