John — last week, we hosted the Fair Pay for Care webinar where we provided critical information on the new HCBS rule, which ensures fair compensation for direct care workers who deliver essential services to aging adults and individuals with disabilities. We are following up with some important news and next steps.
ABOUT THE RULE
In case you missed it, Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced new measures aimed at making care work safer and more supportive while expanding access to affordable, high-quality care. These changes are a direct result of the tireless efforts and advocacy of care workers across the nation.
One of the major changes is the "Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services Rule".
This rule sets a national standard that states must adopt within the next six years requiring state Medicaid agencies to ensure that 80% of Medicaid payments for home care services go directly towards the compensation of direct care workers. This will greatly improve the lives of care workers and the quality of care for over seven million seniors and people with disabilities. These changes are a significant step forward for the domestic worker movement, promising fairer wages, better working conditions, and improved care for those who need it most.
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT
Economic Hardship: One in six home care workers lives in a household below the federal poverty line, with a median annual income of only $19,100.
Disparity in Compensation: While the average rate agencies receive from Medicaid for home and community-based services is $23.09 per hour, the median hourly wage for these direct care workers is only $14.09.
High Turnover: Current wages are not enough, leading to high turnover as workers leave for other jobs that pay $15-20 per hour.
The domestic worker movement has been advocating for fair treatment and compensation for years, and this rule is a monumental achievement in our ongoing struggle for justice. Our collective efforts have brought about these historic changes, and we must continue to support and amplify the voices of care workers to ensure these policies are fully implemented and maintained.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Stay Informed: Learn more on our website and continue to read our emails to keep up with the latest developments and learn how these changes impact care workers and families nationwide.
Spread the Word: Share this email to raise awareness and support for fair wages for care workers.
Support NDWA: Consider making a donation to NDWA to help us continue to educate care workers about this important new rule, and to support our ongoing advocacy work.
Thank you for standing with care workers as we work to build a fairer, more just care system for all.
Care Team
National Domestic Workers Alliance
Thank you for being a dedicated supporter of the National Domestic Workers Alliance!
We're working day and night to win respect, recognition, and labor rights and protections for the more than 2.5 million nannies, house cleaners, and homecare workers.
The majority of domestic workers sit at the center of some of our nation’s most decisive issues because of who they are and what they do: they are women – mostly women of color, immigrants, mothers, and low-wage workers. They are impacted by almost every policy affecting the future of our economy, democracy and country.
Domestic workers can lead us toward a new, inclusive vision for the future for all of us -- and your grassroots support is the fuel that can get us there.
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This email was sent by the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States.
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