Long Term Care Systems and Funding at the Political Forefront
Campaign for Oregon's Seniors & People with Disabilities
There's some excitement in the air. The January 09 legislative session is going to be a time when
Oregon's longterm cäfe programs íak^s center stage at the Capitol. As workers in homecare, nursing
home, adult foster homes and private homecare »agencies know, Oregon's system of long term care,
touted as fhe.best in the nation, is supposed to fulfill a promise to provide independence, choice and
dignity for vulnerable seniors and
people with disabilities/Inffac-t
our system has been neglected
and abused by lack of funding,
innovation and creativity.
That's about to change. Our
union is joining forces with some
of the most influential groups
who advocate for long term care
services, like AARP, O4AD (Oregon
Association of Area Agencies
on Aging), Oregon Healthcare
Association and about 33 other
advocacy organizatiöns. Together;
we are forming a platform to’
reinvest in the following:
Maximizing Medicaid Access
• to reinvest ip fair, sustainable reimbursements
for Oregon's long-term care providers
• to expand eligibility criteria
• to provide adequate resources to support
caseworkers and field staff so they can.furtction
more efficiently*^
Strengthening Oregon's Aging and Disability
Resource Infrastructure
• Fund programs like Oregon Project
Independence (OPI) and the Retired Senior
Volunteer Program
• Invest in community supports, like affordable
housing, special needs transportation and
Aging and Disability Resource Networks to
help ensure more Jivable communities
Ensuring Quality Care by Recruiting and Training
a Qualified, Stable Workforce and Investing in
Family Caregiver Supports
• Provide adequate training, compensation and
benefits
• Invest in increasing nursing home staffing
• Create a quality-care fund, funded by license
fees and civil monetary penalties currently lost
to the state's General Fund
• Provide respite programs to support unpaid
family caregivers
Candidates for Oregon legislative office will be
asked to support this platform. And as homecare
workers, there's something every one of us can
do to support this effort.
1. if you are hot registered to vote at your
Current address, DO IT! Register to Vote.
The deadline is October 14th.
2. Be an educated voter. Our union will be
provided lots of information prior to the
November election on the candidates and the
ballot measures. Read! Ask questions! Come
W a local regional meeting to join in the
discussion with co-workers.
3. And then vote as your job and your client's
■ services depend on it!
4. In January, be prepared to visit the Capitol, to
be visible and vocal!
This will be our time. We can make it happen!