Initiative would bankrupt state’s long term care program

In a Spokesman-Review guest opinion, Robin Hills Von Davies from the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility lays out the case for a NO vote on Initiative 2124.

“To those who say ‘why should I pay into something that doesn’t affect me?’ – consider the implications that cutting funding for long term care coverage will have on our entire community. We are experiencing an escalating care crisis – not enough caregivers and an aging population. It has a trickle down effect on all of us. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans are caring for a loved one. When workers must scale back their hours or quit their job, it worsens the labor shortage and hobbles businesses’ ability to retain good employees. When patients can’t afford the care and support they need at home, it adds additional pressure onto an already stretched health care system, leading to longer ER wait times and higher healthcare costs.”

It’s true. The worsening long-term care crisis affects everyone. Even those who can afford long term care coverage often not able to get it due to preexisting conditions, or those that have coverage are obstructed from accessing their benefits.

“Washington’s long term care benefit is a gamechanger. The data doesn’t lie- most of us will need some form of support with daily living activities at some point in our lives, or we’ll be caring for a loved one who does. Our benefits will help us stay at home as long as possible safely and with dignity.

“Because we know how critical this benefit is to improving quality of life for our patients, hundreds of doctors, nurses and other health care providers strongly oppose Initiative 2124.”