Washington Business 2019 Legislative Review & Vote Record | Page 24

2019 legislative review Health Care Amy Anderson: Education, Workforce, Health Care, and Federal Issues Changes to the health care system have been hotly debated in Washington every session and the 2019 legislative session was no different. With majorities in all three houses supporting a government-funded health care system, the topic was evident in cost transparency, public option, and telemedicine bills. It is important to differentiate between a universal health care system, where every individual has health care coverage, and a single-payer system, where there is one entity — usually the government — that is responsible for paying health care claims. While the debate in Washington state is not settled between these two systems, the actions of the governor and Office of Insurance Commissioner make it clear they would like to do away with employer supported health care and move to a system with more government control and oversight. AWB continues to support a free market health care system where employers can offer coverage as a benefit and residents have the freedom to choose providers and services. 2SHB 1087 concerning long-term services and supports Passed/AWB Supported S e cond Sub s t it ut e Hou s e Bi l l 10 87, s p o n s o r e d b y R e p. L a u r i e J i n k i n s , D-Tacoma, establishes the Long-Term Services and Supports Trust Prog ram (Tr ust Prog ra m) to prov ide benef it s for long-term services and supports to qualified individuals who need assistance with at least three activities of daily living. It also establishes eligibility requirements for the Trust Program for persons who pay a premium of 0.58 percent of a person’s wages for a specific amount of time. Family caregiving is growing more commonplace as baby boomers age and combine work in the paid labor force with unpaid work as caregivers with eldercare responsibilities. Caring for an older relative or friend is now the “new normal” of family caregiving in the United States. Today, the “average” family caregiver in the United States is a 49-year-old woman who works outside the home and spends the equivalent of an additional half-time job (nearly 20 hours a week) providing unpaid care to her mother for nearly five years. Most family caregivers are female (65%); about one in three (35%) are male. Surveys conducted by the National 22 association of washington business Rep. Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, was voted by her caucus this year to serve as Speaker of the House starting in the 2020 legislative session. Alliance for Caregiving and AARP showed that 36% of the caregivers of adults older than the age of 50 reported moderate to high levels of financial strain. This is due to increased expenses associated with the care being given as well as lost days/hours of work due to the need to provide care. The Wa sh i n g ton st ate L on g-Ter m Services and Supports Trust Prog ram will provide a tool for adults to utilize when t he need a r ises to a llow t hem a cer ta in level of autonomy w it h t he support of their family without putting the entire scope of care on the family, particularly working family members. Washington state employers currently struggle to find the talented and skilled workforce necessary to fill current job