Tracy Lawless speaking to Congressman Jason Altmire

Last week, advocates attended a community forum to discuss health care reform with Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA), a “Blue Dog” Democrat who represents the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh and  rural areas covering 6 counties in western Pennsylvania.

Among the forum attendees was Tracy Lawless, Pennsylvania Campaign Coordinator for PHI’s Health Care for Health Care Workers campaign.

“We have an opportunity to make real changes to impact the long-term care industry and the consumers that rely on direct care workers each day,” Lawless said of currently proposed health care reform legislation.  “Simply said, a health care system that is good for direct-care workers is good for America.” 

Lawless asked Congressman Altmire to explain how direct care workers would be covered under this new plan if they worked for a home care agency that fell below the $750,000 payroll tax threshold that would be required of small businesses who do not currently offer health care.

She also explained to the Congressman that direct care workers are not in a similar environment to other low wage workers because their hours can fluctuate from week to week and they have greater exposure to injury and illness because they are taking care of our most vulnerable citizens.

Currently, the House is considering health care reform legislation that is said to add health coverage for 23 million Americans in 2013.   The proposal, House Resolution 3200, would eliminate discrimination based on preexisting health conditions, offer sliding-scale subsidies and limited out-of-pocket costs, and lower health premiums for those that are currently insured.

While Congressman Altmire co-sponsored an amendment to the bill regarding workforce training for direct care workers, he also voted against the overall bill in committee.  The full House is expected to vote on the bill after Congress returns to Washington in September.

Recently, Congressman Altmire joined more than sixty fellow Blue Dogs to write a letter to House leadership denouncing House Resolution 3200, claiming that the proposed measures would create higher costs for the government and for the public.

A report conducted by Weill Cornell Medical College that contradicts the Blue Dogs’ claim that a new system would be costlier than the existing structure came up at the forum.

Invitees also asked about campaign contributions that Altmire has received from various health care companies and the effect that they may have on his decision-making.