Tri-City Herald:Vote No on I-2124. The future of WA long-term care for the aging depends on it
The Tri-City Herald Editorial Board is urging voters to reject I-2124.
Washington voters face a critical decision on the November ballot that will profoundly impact long-term care for many of their neighbors and the sustainability of our health care systems. Initiative 2124, which proposes to make the WA Cares program voluntary, poses a serious threat to a crucial support system for older adults and those facing serious health challenges. Voting “no” on it will help preserve WA Cares and ensure that all Washingtonians have access to at least a basic level of long-term care.
State lawmakers passed WA Cares in 2019 to address the looming crisis of long-term care affordability. Currently, about 5% of the population holds private long-term care insurance policies. That low rate is due in part to the fact that the policies can be prohibitively expensive and often come with strict eligibility requirements.
