WA voters to decide future of long-term care program

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.

Read the full article in the Public News Service.