WA Cares Information for Media
For all media requests: contact.us@wecareforwacares.org
Background Information & Reports
Media Briefing with WA Cares Experts (June 1, 2023)
WA Cares Background Memo for Media (May 2023)
Get The Facts: WA Cares Pays For Long-Term Care At Home For Working Washingtonians (May 2023)
Impact Report: More than 3 Million Washingtonians Soon Building WA Cares Benefits (June 2023)
U.S. and Global Approaches to Financing Long-Term Care: Understanding the Patchwork (February 2023)
How Much Care Will You Need? Long-term care is not just for seniors. 40% of us needing assistance with daily living activities are under 65.
Compare Your WA Cares Benefits to Private Insurance and Medicare. Easy to use calculator
Number of Americans With Preexisting Conditions by District for the 116th Congress (2019) 57% of non-elderly adults have a pre-existing condition like cancer, diabetes, MS, Lupus, high blood pressure, or asthma, disqualifying them from private long-term care insurance.
Recent Press Releases About WA Cares Fund
PRESS RELEASE: Senate Passes Bill With Bipartisan Vote To Strengthen and Expand Washington Long Term Care (WA Cares) Coverage (February 2024)
PRESS RELEASE: Initiative Filed To Repeal Long Term Care Benefits For More Than 3 Million Working Washingtonians (December 2023)
PRESS RELEASE: 3 Million Washington Workers Start Building Long Term Care Benefits on July 1st (June 2023)
For all media requests: press@wecareforwacares.org
Available Spokespeople & Experts On WA Cares
For all media requests: press@wecareforwacares.org
Anthony Jones:
Mr. Jones is a cook at a local golf course in Seattle. Like 57% of workers, he cannot get private long-term care insurance due to a pre-existing condition. He will likely need use WA Cares Funds for home care help when he cannot care for himself due to his Lupus. Anthony will be able to tap his WA Cares benefits when that need for support comes along. More from Anthony.
Christina Keys:
Ms. Keys works in the Vancouver area. She left a successful career to care for her mother, who had a debilitating stroke in her 60s. She will likely use WA Cares Funds for home care when no one else is available to help her if she experiences the need for care. More from Christina.
Vicki Bickford:
Ms. Bickford works in the Vancouver area and raised 3 sons by herself. Like 57% of workers, she cannot get private long-term care insurance due to a pre-existing condition. She will likely use WA Cares Funds to put in a ramp and other home modifications when she can no longer get up her stairs as a result of her arthritis. More from Vicki.
Dani Rice:
Ms. Rice works in the Asotin area. She was partially paralyzed at age 30 during a routine medical procedure. Like 57% of workers, she cannot get private long-term care insurance due to a pre-existing condition. She will likely use WA Cares Funds to help with meals, bathing, and moving during those times when her husband is working and she cannot care for herself. More from Dani.
Dr. Charles Mayer:
Dr. Mayer is a family physician. “I tell my patients — you may think Medicare or other insurance will cover care at home should you need it — it will not,” said Dr. Mayer. “The WA Cares Fund will help people stay in their own homes as they age.” More from Dr. Mayer.
Cathleen MacCaul:
Ms. MacCaul is Advocacy Director at AARP Washington. “Many of us don’t think about or plan for long-term care until a crisis strikes or urgency forces our hand. Thankfully, WA Cares is a new benefit to help Washington families pay for care during a long-term illness, injury or disability.” More from Ms. MacCaul
Madeline Foutch:
Ms. Foutch is a Commissioner on the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Commission. She is also Legislative and Campaigns Director for SEIU 775, which represents 40,000 home care providers.
News
WA Cares will make a difference (Go Skagit)
WA Cares is essential lifeline (Columbian)
WA Cares: Peace of mind for long-term care (Seattle Times)
Washington’s long-term care payroll tax starts July 1, as other states explore similar programs (Associated Press/ABC News)
Long-term care: WA Cares will improve quality of life (Seattle Times)
WA Long-Term Care Benefits Program Lifts Off in July (PRN)
As long-term care needs grow, WA Cares offers long-term solution for working Washingtonians (Spokesman Review)
States Try Easing the Burden of Long-Term Care’s High Cost (New York Times)
Opinion: WA Cares isn’t perfect, but it’s a necessary start (Yakima Herald)
In Our View: Ensure WA Cares Fund goes according to plan (Columbian)
WA Cares benefit provides a bridge (Columbian)
Washington Cares Fund lauded as valuable safety net (Columbian)
WA state is a leader when it comes to managing long-term care (Tri City Herald)
Editorial: What good is that new payroll deduction? (Everett Herald)
WA Cares program set up to help our expanding aging population (Kitsap Sun)
‘Ready to go’: State prepares to collect, invest funds for WA Cares program (Center Square)
Washington Cares Fund goes into effect on July 1 (Olympian)
WA Cares paycheck deductions begin July 1. Here’s what you should know (King 5)
Everett Son’s Struggle To Get Mom Into Assisted Living (Everett Herald)
WA Cares: ‘Financially stable and just’ (Seattle Times)
WA Cares Fund addresses challenges (Spokesman Review)
Caregiver shortage: Challenging to afford help (Seattle Times)
Letter: WA Cares can help (Columbian)
WA Cares offers state’s residents a safety net (Spokesman Review)
Thankful for Randall’s support of WA Cares (GigHarborNow)
Kudos for support of WA Cares program
(Sequim Gazette)
WA Cares provides needed help
(Columbian)
What happens when the day comes that we ourselves need care?
(Clark County Today)
“We’re lucky to be in a state that’s innovating ways to help us keep from going bankrupt when we face health challenge”
(Union-Bulletin)
Unpaid caregiver grateful for new WA Cares Fund (Camas-Washougal Reporter)
Grateful for WA Cares program
(GoSkagit)
Groups gather in Olympia to discuss Washington ‘Age Wave’
(MyEdmonds)
States, other countries offer insights into making long-term care more affordable: Report
(McKnights)