May 15, 2024
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Governor Inslee, Lawmakers and Community Leaders Celebrate Improvements To WA’s Long-Term Care Benefit
Seattle, WA – Today Washington Governor Jay Inslee joined State Representative Nicole Macri, home care workers, family caregivers, and advocates for patients and consumers to celebrate Washington’s long term care benefit.
Known as the WA Cares Fund, this new state benefit has been expanded and improved to cover near retirees and allow workers to keep their benefits even if they move out of state someday. More than 3 million working Washingtonians are currently participating in Washington’s long-term care benefits program.
Governor Jay Inslee shared, “Washington is a state that cares for people. We lead the nation on worker protections, paid leave, and now long-term care insurance. WA Cares is there for people when they start to need help with daily functions. And now that we’ve approved portability, your benefits are there for you even if you’re not here in Washington anymore. This is a great program made better this session.”
Markos Worku, a former nurse at Sea Mar Community Health shared, “You never know when something is going to happen. I was just 47 when I had a stroke and couldn’t use my arms or my legs. Being in the rehab facility was like being in a prison to me. I worked hard to regain the ability to move on my own. I have my freedom again. Having a caregiver is everything to me. Sonja makes it possible for me to live at home where I want to be, where I’m near my friends and my community. WA Cares Fund will help people pay for things like the ramp I have to my home, and home care aides like Sonja.”
Sonja Thomas, a certified home care aide, shared “Markos worked incredibly hard to recover his ability to walk, and was able to return home to live independently. As a home care aide, I come by twice a week for a few hours to help Markos with things like getting dressed and bathed, and getting his meals and medications – support so he can continue living at home, where he wants to be. Washington’s long term care benefit is going to make it possible for millions of us to get the help we need to stay in our own homes just like Markos is doing today.”
Representative Nicole Macri (D-43) said “States across the country are following our lead. And now that our benefits are portable, we can keep them 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.”
Cathy MacCaul, advocacy and policy director at AARP of Washington, said “We are in the midst of a care crisis that’s getting worse. Washington’s long term care benefit is a gamechanger – providing resources and support not only for people needing care, but also for family caregivers, who are most often women. As someone who is working and providing care for my own mother, I understand the physical, emotional and financial toll of caregiving. I’m proud of our state’s leadership in creating and continually improving this innovative support to now cover near retirees and to make our benefits portable.”
Kim Allen, a patient advocate with UW Medicine, said, “As a healthy, fit person and former competitive rower, I was shocked to be rejected for private long term care insurance due to a pre-existing condition from my childhood. As one of millions of Washingtonians who won’t be able to get long term care insurance coverage, I am proud to live in a state that is providing support and services that most of us will need at some point in our lives. I’m grateful WA Cares is there for people like me, and thrilled we’ll be able to keep our benefits even if we have to move out of our beautiful state for a job, family or retirement.”
In 2026, just about two years from now, Washingtonians will be able to tap into their WA Cares benefit with no daily limits for home 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 continue growing to an estimated $58,300 in 20 years even after workers retire and stop making contributions
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
- Women, who most commonly take on family caregiving at the expense of their own income and ability to save for future needs
- Middle income working families, the vast majority of whom do not have a nest egg to pay for long term care needs, and would have to drain their assets to qualify for Medicaid
- 70% of us who will need help someday due to a serious injury, illness, disease, or other challenges that can happen at any age (40% who need long term care are under the age of 65.
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.
The alternative to a state backed program like WA Cares is paying out of pocket for care, draining savings and assets to qualify for Medicaid, or paying expensive premiums for a private corporate long term care insurance policy. A recently released analysis of consumer complaints about corporate long-term care insurance filed with the state’s Office of Insurance Commissioner reveals long term care insurance companies have poor consumer track records, regularly hiking premiums or reducing benefits, delaying or denying benefit claims.
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