Comment: Protect a benefit many will need as they age

By Jackie Boschok / For The Herald

The choices we make with our votes on candidates and issues this November have enormous consequences for our future here in Washington. Take ballot Initiative 2124, for example, which will be on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. According to independent experts, the measure if passed would cost the state millions of dollars and have the effect of killing long term care benefits for 3.9 million workers.

Initiative backers misleadingly drafted the measure to sound like a reasonable change; make the program voluntary. But as anyone with a basic understanding of how insurance works knows, that change would bankrupt the program, draining funding to pay out benefits to those who need them most.

Why is this issue so important to our future? A confluence of factors is creating a dual crisis for families and our economy. Our population as a whole is aging, and our workforce is shrinking. Despite more of us living longer and needing care, there is a shortage of people to provide that care. More people aren't having children, or live away from friends and family who could help. One in 4 people — most commonly, women — are forced to scale back or quit their jobs in order to care for a loved one, exacerbating the labor shortage.

Few realize that neither health insurance nor Medicare cover long term care needs; help with daily living activities like dressing, bathing, getting around, managing meals and medication. Given that most of us have less than $5,000 in savings, we are unprepared to pay out of pocket, or afford the expensive premiums for private long term care insurance. Washington's long term care insurance program was created to help cover the costs of a home care aide, home modifications such as ramps and grab bars, and medical equipment that will enable us to stay in our homes. Should it pass, Initiative 2124 will bankrupt that program, increasing medical costs for families, and especially harming women and people with pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and other diseases, those who would be rejected by private long term care insurance companies.

Workers in Washington deserve livable wages, financial security and access to essential health care in retirement. We don't like to think about it, but the fact is the majority of us will need long term care at some point in our lives because of a serious injury, illness, disease or the normal limitations that can occur as we age. Without state long term care benefits, more women will have no choice but to reduce their hours or leave their jobs altogether, taking on increased expenses while lowering their lifetime earnings, because it is women who most often leave their jobs to care for family members. In fact, there are about 820,000 unpaid caregivers in Washington state.

Mothers sandwiched between caring for children and aging parents and in-laws will be hit hardest by I-2124. Just over 4 in 5of Washingtonians (81 percent) reported being "worried" or "very worried" about affording some aspect of health care in the future. Survey respondents ages 35-64 say they are worried about affording care for both aging parents and themselves.

A recent national opinion survey by the National Council on Aging and Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, found American women are experiencing significant economic stress, worried about how to pay for health care and other expenses in retirement; 94 percent support government solutions to ensure older adults have the option to receive care at home rather than having to go into a nursing home; support that cuts across demographic and party lines. By effectively defunding Washington's long term care benefit program, I-2124 would make our medical and home care costs even higher, and worsen the care crisis.

I-2124 will jeopardize the ability of millions of Washingtonians to get the care they need when they experience a disabling disease, illness, injury or the normal challenges that can come as we age. As an advocate for workers, women and retirees, I strongly urge a No vote on Initiative 2124.

Jackie Boschok is vice president of the Washington State Labor Council and president of the Washington State Alliance for Retired Americans. Boschok previously worked as a material processor and resource facilitator for Boeing Commercial Airplane Group and was an elected business representative of Aerospace Machinists Union District 751, former vice president of Snohomish County Labor Council, executiveboard member of United Way of Snohomish County and the National Executive Board of the Coalition of Labor Union Women.