Write a letter to the editor.

Now that the state legislature is back in session and facing the task of cutting more than $1.5 billion from the state budget, it makes sense that legislators would be focused on raising revenues and finding balanced solutions to the budget crisis.

Instead, some Olympia politicians are attacking I-1163, despite the overwhelming support from voters in November. More than 65 percent of Washingtonians voted for common sense protections for seniors and people with disabilities last November, the second time in three years we have sent this priority to the legislature.

I-1163 passed in all 39 counties.

Help protect I-1163, by writing a letter to the editor calling on our legislators to stop ignoring the will of the voters, allow these needed reforms to be implemented, and focus on real solutions to our budget crisis.

Our state needs revenue and a balanced approach to a filling this budget gap. But we cannot continue this all-cuts plan that puts the largest burden on our most vulnerable.

Write a letter to the editor and tell our legislators to listen to the voters and protect seniors.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sandeep Kaushik, (206) 355-9230

Initiative 1163 Headed to Overwhelming Win

Voters Again Say that Increased Training, Background Checks for Long-Term Care Workers Are a Top Priority

Seattle (Nov. 8th) – Following the initial ballot count from the Secretary of State’s office showing I-1163 passing strongly statewide, the Yes on 1163 released the following statement: “In 2008, the voters of Washington State overwhelmingly voted to increased the training hours and require federal background checks for home care workers. Today, the voters have spoken again, making a strong statement that they expect quality care for our vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities to be a high priority.

“Throughout this campaign, voters have heard about the cost of this initiative, including a grossly inaccurate and inflated cost number from the opposition campaign, which was led by scandal-tarnished, for-profit long-term care providers, who placed their own profits ahead of needed reforms.

“But the voters have spoken out loud and clear, saying these reforms must be implemented now, before more vulnerable people fall through the cracks and suffer serious harm. And they voted yes on this measure while fully aware that this is a difficult time for this state’s budget. The voters knew the I-1163 costs and know the budget situation well, yet again clearly stated that better training is a priority and should be funded.

“Today, for the second time, voters in Washington have said that we cannot afford not to do this. Our state needs higher training standards for those who care for our most vulnerable and we need to ensure that those caregivers do not have violent or abusive histories. We now look to the legislature to fully implement the will of the voters regarding basic training and background checks for home care workers.”

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Secretary of State Sam Reed’s office has announced that 21,000 ballots were not sent out for today’s election. If you did not receive your ballot, you can still vote today. Go to your local county elections office or voting center. See directions below and go here to find your local office.

From Secretary Reed’s office:

– If you think you should have received a ballot but did not, go to your county elections office or voting center. If there is a question regarding your eligibility to vote, you are always eligible to vote a provisional ballot. Your voter registration status will be researched after the election, and the races and ballot measures on which you are eligible to vote will be counted.

– If you think that you received a ballot for the wrong address, go to your county elections office or voting center. Your voter registration status will be researched and the races and ballot measures on which you are eligible to vote will be counted.

Current and former Washington State long-term care ombudsmen join broad coalition supporting need protections for seniors and people with disabilities

Seattle (Nov. 7) – Drawing on their considerable experience in the long-term care field, working with caregivers and thousands of seniors and people with disabilities, three current and former Washington State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen have joined the broad coalition supporting I-1163. Led by the current ombudsman, Patricia Hunter, this group represents a strong voice calling for increased training for those responsible for the care of our most vulnerable.

Hunter’s support continues the work of two former state ombudsmen, who together have more than 30 years in the ombudsman’s office and decades of experience in long-term care programs, working to raise the quality of care for seniors and people with disabilities, while helping push through reforms that protect those in adult family and boarding homes.

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