Implements strict accountability, fraud prevention, and transparency measures for home care workers
In 2008, Washington State voters overwhelmingly passed Initiative 1029, which required criminal background checks and increased training for the long-term workers who assist vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities. Despite receiving more “yes” votes than any measure in state history, this year the legislature in Olympia reduced training requirements and delayed criminal background checks, putting more than 40,000 of Washington State’s most vulnerable residents at risk. Initiative 1163 restores these common sense protections, ensuring that our ailing seniors remain safe and are treated with dignity and respect in their own homes.
I-1163 Closes the Background Check Loophole
The people of Washington State have made it clear that they want our most vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities to be protected. I-1163 will require federal FBI background checks for long-term care workers. This basic, common sense protection will help make sure our seniors don’t fall prey to elder abuse or fraud at the hands of unscrupulous home care workers. More…
I-1163 Restores Basic Minimum Training Standards for Workers
The legislature requires hairdressers to receive 1,000 hours of training. Nail technicians must get 600 hours of training. Meanwhile, home care workers, who do a difficult and important job, visiting seriously ill seniors and people with disabilities to help them dress, bathe, clean, get out of bed, and cook so they can remain in their own homes, will not be getting the training and the state certification that they need to provide quality care for their vulnerable clients. More…
I-1163 Implements Strict Efficiency and Accountability Measures
I-1163 protects taxpayers by requiring annual independent audits conducted by the state auditor to ensure that training is done effectively and efficiently. The measure also requires the state to hire full-time fraud investigators to ensure that clients receiving services at taxpayer expense are medically and financially qualified to receive state assistance. And I-1163 caps administrative expenses, requiring that at least 90 percent of all program funds go to direct care. More…
I-1163 Saves Taxpayers Millions
Thousands of Medicaid-eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities who qualify for expensive nursing home care voluntarily chose to remain in their own homes. It allows them to stay connected to their families and communities while saving taxpayers millions. But without qualified and trained caregivers who can help them live safely in their homes, these vulnerable people would be forced into nursing homes—and cost the state millions more. More…
