Advocates for quality direct-care jobs don’t usually find their issues on the ballot, but voters in the state of Washington are being asked to weigh in this year.
The Olympian reports that Initiative 1029—which calls for increased training of workers who provide long-term medical care—is one of the more surprising issues on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.
The initiative was originally intended for the legislature, but when lawmakers failed to act, supporters took the issue directly to the people. They collected 300,000 signatures to put the measure on the ballot.
Now voters will decide whether long-term care workers must pass an exam to be certified as home care aides. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which has organized the state’s personal care workforce, is behind the initiative along with several consumer organizations.
Home and community-based long-term care workers would complete 75 hours of training to receive state certification and background checks would be required for all levels of care.
Opponents say the certification is unreasonable and costly. The Olympian reports the potential cost to taxpayers to be more than $30 million at a time when the state’s budget deficit is expected to reach $3.2 billion.
A supportive letter in The Columbian of Clark County, Washington, states that the initiative will protect seniors and people with disabilities and allow them to stay in their homes, confident in the care they receive.
Controversy over whether the issue should even be on the ballot (since it was originally intended for the legislature) has complicated the process.
“A lack of response by government,” says PHI National Policy Director Steven Edelstein, “can create a highly politicized environment that is prone to hyperbole and distortion and, perhaps, not the best one for reasoned policy debate.
Ideally, government officials should be more responsive and shouldn’t pass on their job to voters. But when they do, voters have every right to take control whether it is by ballot initiative or by voting-in new representatives.”
Aaron Toleos, Online Communications Director
atoleos@phinational.org
This is an overdue initiative. Though I agree with PHI that this would best have been instituted through contract language, the initiative will publicize the need to strengthen the skills levels and protections for the industry.It will increase the respect and dignity homecare workers deserve.
It is important, however, that certification not become a barrier to workers entry into personal care but a recognition of the social value of the services provided to our senior and disabled communities to enable them to continue to live rewarding lives.