Spousal Care Program Expands
In February 2000, after a long fight
to save the Spousal Care program, a
fight which was organized by our union
and led by spousal caregivers through
out the state, the Legislature voted to
reinstate the program after slashing
it during the previous legislative
session.
It was a bittersweet victory because
the Legislature capped the
number of couples who could be on
the program at one time to 198.
Legislators also directed the Seniors and
People with Disabilities agency direc
tors to pursue approval from the federal
government to expand Medicaid
waivers to allow spousal caregivers to
receive federal matching funds rather
than having the program completely
funded out of Oregon tax revenues.
Here's the Good News
We just received word that the spousal
care program has been approved by
the federal Medicaid agency and in
January, SPD opened the spousal care
program to any couple who meet
eligibility, without a cap on the number
who can be enrolled at one time.
If you or someone you know might be
eligible for the spousal care program,
tell them to contact their local branch
office to apply.
To all the spousal caregivers and their
loved ones who stood together in 2000
and fought back against a decision
that threatened to tear families apart,
congratulations. Your efforts have
paved the way for those who will
benefit from this expansion in the
years to come. And to SPD officials
who have worked diligently to gain
federal approval, thank you as well.
For more than five years spousal caregivers have stood together to fight for dignity and
respect for their families. Their courage is the foundation for this victory.
LOCAL 503
Si
SEIU
Stronger Together
SEIU Local 503, OPEU
1730 Commercial St. SE, Salem OR 97302
Mailing Address: PO Box 12159, Salem OR 97309-0159
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Organization
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Salem, Oregon