OLYMPIA, Wash. – Un cambio en el límite en que la gente con necesidades de atención de largo plazo pague por su propio cuidado, podría ayudar a la de la tercera edad con discapacidades, según opinan los defensores de la atención de la salud y los anti-pobreza. Comenta Lani (LON-ee) Todd, director legislativo y de de políticas públicas en SEIU 775; y Raúl Hidalgo, cuidador con más de dos décadas de experiencia.

Defensores de la atención de la salud y anti-pobreza presionan al estado de Washington para que enmiende los requisitos que deben cubrir las personas con necesidades de atención de largo plazo.
La solución podría ayudar a los adultos mayores y personas con discapacidades, y también a los cuidadores. El cambio podría consistir en aumentar el límite para que la gente pague su propia atención, del 100 al 130 por ciento del nivel federal de pobreza.

Lani Todd, director legislativo y de políticas públicas en SEIU 775, organismo que representa a los cuidadores del estado, dice que los washingtonianos que rebasan el nivel del 100 por ciento pudieran estar pagando cientos de dólares al mes en co-pagos, lo que deja muy poco dinero para el creciente costo de la vida.

“Nuestros adultos mayores con Washington que tienen bajos ingresos están entre los más importados por la crisis de vivienda y –para quien tiene ingresos fijos limitados– poder volver a poner ese dinero en sus bolsillos es una forma de lograr la meta de mejorar, para asegurar que la gente pueda permanecer en su hogar.”

Los adultos mayores que tienen ingresos del 150 por ciento o menos de la línea de pobreza son elegibles para recibir atención de largo plazo a través de Medicaid.

El Gobernador Jay Inslee pospuso subir el umbral de ingresos en su presupuesto bianual, con en fin de que no se requiera una legislación especial para hacer el cambio.

La cantidad mensual que la gente con cuidados de largo plazo retiene para su ingreso personal se conoce como pensión de necesidades personales, la cual en parte también se usa para pagar a los cuidadores. Por cerca de 25 años Raúl Hidalgo ha cuidado a su hermano, quien quedó paralizado del cuello hacia abajo en un accidente automovilístico. Hidalgo termina pagando lo que su hermano no puede pagar, lo cual pone sus propias finanzas en mayores aprietos mientras ve subir los costos en el área de Seattle.

“Hay veces que tengo que hacerme cargo de esas cuentas y luego tengo que pagarlas de mi bolsillo. Especialmente cuando son médicas. Los insumos médicos a veces pueden ser muy caros.”

El Departamento de Servicios Sociales y de Salud del Estado de Washington (“Washington State Department of Social and Health Services”) estima que hay como seis mil personas con Medicaid que viven sobre la línea de pobreza, pagando ellas mismas su propia atención.


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After more than 50 years of use, some Michigan lawmakers say naloxone may not be the best choice in an overdose situation.

Naloxone is sometimes called the "Lazarus drug" because of its powerful ability to seemingly resurrect people after a drug overdose.

Sen. Kevin Hertel, D-St. Clair Shores, and some of his colleagues have introduced a bill which would open the door for what they say are more costly, but more powerful, antidotes.

"Given the prevalence of fentanyl in our communities, and how much stronger some of these drugs that we're now seeing are, we believe -- and in talking with others -- that there should be other tools to respond to an overdose," Hertel explained. "To make sure we're doing everything we can to save somebody's life."

Not everyone is on board with the proposed legislation, Senate Bill 542. Opponents argued the more expensive naloxone alternatives are not necessary, and using them would only increase profits for the pharmaceutical industry.

Jonathan Stoltman, director of the Opioid Policy Institute in Grand Rapids, said while the naloxone alternatives do help in overdose situations, they can also cause nasty side effects.

"The newer approaches, they put people into more severe withdrawal," Stoltman pointed out. "That's a pretty profound negative side effect. The one approach is very inexpensive and works great; the other approach is far more expensive and has this strong negative side effect."

Sponsors of the bill say they're hoping to give Michigan residents a chance to chime in on the issue in a public hearing sometime in June. Michigan saw more than 3,000 opioid overdose deaths in 2021.


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New Mexico saw record enrollment numbers for the Affordable Care Act this year and is now setting its sights on lowering out-of-pocket costs - those not reimbursed by insurance. More than 56,000 New Mexicans are enrolled in a medical health insurance plan on the state exchange - an increase of 12,000 people overall.

Colin Baillio, deputy superintendent with the state's Office of Insurance, said the state has boosted its outreach and made efforts to improve the overall consumer experience.

"We saw a 40% year-over-year increase, and New Mexico saw the biggest percentage increase during the open-enrollment period among all of the state-based marketplaces," he explained

Part of the enrollment increase is due to what's called the "unwinding" - a federal directive that required all states to redetermine Medicaid eligibility following a three-year pause on checks during the COVID pandemic. He said by using expanded tools made available by the federal and state government, 8% of New Mexico's population is now uninsured - down from 23% in 2010.

Following approval by lawmakers in the 2024 legislative session, the New Mexico governor signed seven health care-related bills into law - one of which requires annual reporting of prescription drug pricing. Baililo said the Affordable Care Act built the foundation that has allowed the state to pursue additional affordability initiatives.

"I'm really glad to see that there's so much interest in the next step of health reform, really leaning into these out-of-pocket cost issues and making it easier for people to afford to stay covered and see their doctors," he continued.

Two years ago, the state also passed a one-of-a-kind law that did away with behavioral health co-pays for people in certain insurance plans.

New York's medical aid-in-dying bill is gaining further support. The Medical Society of the State of New York is supporting the bill. New York's bill allows terminally ill people with only six months to live to use this option, with safeguards requiring two physicians' approval.

The bill's Assembly sponsor Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, said despite the growing support, other hurdles lie ahead.

"Now we have what I believe, if it came to the floor, a majority. There's still a hesitation on the part of leadership. You know, we need members to assure leadership that they no longer have reservations," she said.

Other newly resolved concerns center on making sure insurance companies and doctors who don't support this aren't held liable. She's optimistic the bill will pass after nine years in the Legislature. New York would be the 11th state along with Washington, D.C. to have medical aid in dying legislation.

Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director with Compassion and Choices finds the pandemic drew a vivid picture of a person's end-of-life experience. There were images of people dying on ventilators, apart from loved ones, and unable to communicate. She said people began thinking about a "good death."

"And, what is a good death is being surrounded by loved ones, having some measure of control, experiencing the touch of your loved ones, and being the one in the driver's seat," she explained.

Now people have different options for end-of-life care, each of which presents various challenges. Polls show medical aid in dying has garnered considerable support since being introduced in 2015. A 2022 Compassion and Choices poll finds 57% of nurses support medical aid in dying professionally, although fewer support it personally.