AARP Eye Center
In 2021, 820,000 family caregivers in Washington state provided $16.8 billion worth of unpaid care, donated 770 million hours of their time, and spent an average of $7,200 out of their own pockets to care for their loved ones when they faced a serious long-term illness, injury or disability. Here are some of their stories and reasons for supporting Washington's long-term care insurance benefit.
AARP volunteer Kathy F. of Spokane tells our state director Marguerite Ro how caring for her mother and daughter simultaneously impacted her life. Washington's long-term care benefit would have made a positive difference.
Jeff Ketchel says he's voting no on I-2124 to protect WA Cares.
WA Cares is the state's long-term care benefit for our neighbors with preexisting conditions, family members who have to step away from jobs to care for them, and those who are seriously disabled.
WA Cares can provide benefits and services so that someone can stay in their home instead of needing to move into long-term care (and the benefits are portable if you move out of state). And long-term care expenses are not covered by traditional health insurance or Medicaid.
Dori Gillam of Seattle is voting NO on I-2124. She cared for her parents for 7 years and understands how losing our state long-term care benefit would hurt families, especially women.