Washington’s Long-Term Care Benefit Can Now Go With You To Other States
VIDEO NEWS RELEASE FOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2024
Video B-Roll and Soundbites for media use now available. Legislators, impacted workers, family caregivers and public health advocates featured.
Senate Poised to Expand WA’s Long Term Care Benefits to Make Them Portable
Washington’s Long-Term Care Benefit Can Now Go With You To Other States
Olympia – Washington State lawmakers have acted to add portability – the most commonly requested change – to Washington’s long term care benefit for an estimated 3.5 million workers.
HB 2467 has been approved by both houses of the state legislature and is headed to the Governor for signature.
The measure will implement a key recommendation from the state’s Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) Trust Commission to allow workers in Washington to keep their long term care benefits even if they move out of state after. More than 3 million working Washingtonians are currently participating in Washington’s long term care benefits program.
“Adding portability will allow us the choice to keep our long term care benefits even if we need to move out of state for family or work,” said Christina Keys, who lives in Vancouver, WA, close to the state border with Oregon.
In 2026 Washingtonians will be able to tap into their WA Cares benefit with no daily limits for personal home care, family care, wheelchairs, medical equipment, and home modifications if they experience limitations that result from a serious injury, illness, disease or other challenges that can come at any age. Benefits start at $36,500 and could grow to as much as $60,000 in 20 years with inflation adjustments.
Washington’s long term care benefit is critical for:
- people with pre-existing conditions who are denied long-term care insurance in the private insurance market
- more than 800,000 people, mostly women, who are currently unpaid caregivers
- people who would otherwise have to sell all their assets to qualify for Medicaid.
- the 40% of workers under 65 who will need help due to serious illnesses, such as Cancer pregnancy- complications, or debilitating injuries due to workplace, auto, or other accidents.
The Long Term Services & Support Commission held 27 public comment meetings to gather public input on ways to make Washington’s long-term care benefits even more effective. One of the most commonly requested changes for the new benefit has been to make it portable. To date, no one has testified against any of the recommendations from the Commission.
Representative Nicole Macri (D-43), sponsor of HB 2467, explained:
“Even though Washington is the first state in the nation with long term care benefits, by implementing this change, we can count on our benefits no matter where we end up. I know from experience helping care for my partner’s father the toll caregiving can take on family members, financially, physically and emotionally. There’s no denying the likelihood that most of us will either need care for ourselves, or be a caregiver for a loved one someday. Washington’s long term care benefits will provide a lifeline of support when that happens.”
Senator Karen Keiser (D-33) added:
“The Long Term Services & Support Commission held more than two dozen public comment meetings over the last two years to gather public input on ways to make Washington’s long-term care benefit even more effective. We listened, and with this measure, are implementing key recommendations to make this critically needed long term care support portable for millions of Washington families.”
Christina Keys from Vancouver, shared:
“I cared for my mother for ten years when she had a life changing stroke at 62 that left her paralyzed. It changed her life and mine, as the family member who stepped in to provide and pay for in-home care because neither Medicare nor her supplement covered it. Washington’s long term care benefits could cover the cost of over 1000 hours of care for a family that finds themselves in the same situation. Washington’s long term care benefits bring hope and help for millions of us when the unexpected or tragic happens.”
Cathy MacCaul, advocacy director for AARP of Washington, shared:
“Most of us want to stay in our own homes as we age or face challenges caring for ourselves. More than 800,000 unpaid family caregivers in Washington step in to make that happen, spending an average of 20 hours per week and more than $7,000 each year out of their own pockets, putting their finances and jobs at risk. While 70% percent of those 65 and older will require some assistance as we age, 90% of us do not have the resources to pay for it. Washington’s long term care benefits will help Washingtonians stay in their homes by paying for a range of services—from home care aides to medical equipment, home modification, and transportation. It provides predictable coverage, regardless of pre-existing conditions, offering consumers a way to pay for long-term care services and support even if they move out of state.”
Dani Rice from Asotin, who is a certified home care aide herself, shared:
“You never know when something may happen that changes the way you live forever. I was partially paralyzed in a routine medical procedure when I was thirty; my son was just two years old. Like most families, we don’t have enough savings to pay for a home care aide if I ever need one. If my husband Sam had to quit his job to care for me, we don’t know how we’d make it financially. Now thanks to Washington’s long term care benefits we have more options. We both put in a little from our paychecks now, and Washington’s long term care benefits will pay for a home care aide and other support when we need help.”
Anthony Jones, a Seattle area catering services director who was diagnosed with severe Lupus when he was only 19 years old shared:
“One day I was playing basketball with friends, enjoying life as a healthy young man, then it seems all of a sudden, I started experiencing extreme fatigue, inflammation, and pain in my joints. There was always the worry in the back of my mind. How would I cook for myself or even walk to the bathroom when my ankles and other joints become too painful to move? The thought of losing my savings to qualify for Medicaid devastated me. I’m still working and living completely independently. But my condition is unpredictable. Some days the joint inflammation in my foot is so bad I can’t even walk my dog or go to work, the pain in my hands is so severe I can’t cook for myself. I know it’s going to get worse as time goes on. Knowing I can tap into Washington’s long term care benefits, and stay in my own home, even when my condition gets really bad, gives me so much relief.”
Fifteen states are considering similar long-term care programs in response to the growing need, including: California, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Utah. More information about WA Cares for reporters.
Washington’s long term care benefits program is widely supported by health and services organizations like AARP Washington, MS Society, Lupus Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, Washington Health Care Association, and other members of the We Care For WA Cares coalition.
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