A new report has great news for more than 67,00 workers in Hansville, Kingston, Poulsbo, Bainbridge Island, Keyport, Silverdale, and East Bremerton who will soon be building up WA Cares benefits. WA Cares will enable us to stay in our own homes with paid home care when we have dementia, cancer, other illnesses or injuries.
The new analysis comes from We Care For Cares, a coalition of consumer and patient advocates including AARP, Alzheimer’s Association, Lupus Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
In our area, WA Cares will directly benefit an estimated 67,450 workers, including:
- 54,610 younger workers (20-54)
- 12,840 older workers (55-64)
- 22,440 Black, Indigenous and workers of color
- 16,280 part-time workers
- 6,750 gig workers
Lisa P. on Bainbridge Island shares: “We cousins all helped care for my aunt when she needed support to continue living in her own home as she aged. When I retire I’ll be glad to know there’s a fund I can tap into should I ever need someone to help me someday so I can stay in my home too.”
WA Cares covers working people near retirement. WA Cares photo
WA Cares covers 46,000 people under age 65 in our area who likely have pre-existing conditions
Private long term care insurance companies frequently deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes or cancer.
Even if we can afford and qualify for a private long term care insurance policy ($2,000-$7,000/year), we must continue paying premiums even after retirement.
With WA Cares, we pay in just while we’re working, and the benefits are always there for us
WA Cares will provide $36,500 (grows with inflation) to help pay someone when we need help with tasks like dressing, bathing, making meals and getting around as a result of an injury, illness, disease or the normal challenges that can come with aging.
There are nearly 20,000 unpaid caregivers in our area
Frequently, women, and Black, Indigenous and people of color become unpaid family caregivers – those less likely to have enough savings to pay for care. When they leave their job to care for others, that drains household income and worsens the labor shortage.
WA Cares is good for jobs and our economy
A dollar in WA Cares spending on home repair, home care, or medical supplier generates another $1.50 in economic benefits and supports jobs in our communities.
Thanks to the support of Senator Christine Rolfes and Representatives Terra Simmons and Drew Hansen, WA Cares will give us the choice of staying in our homes when we need care.
We Cares for WA Cares is a coalition of consumer advocates including AARP, Alzheimer’s Association, Lupus Foundation, Multiple Sclerosis Society, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
