On Tuesday, October 15, the Olympia City Council passed a resolution opposing Washington State's Initiative 2124, which would make the state's long-term care insurance program voluntary.
Debbi Sullivan, Olympia's assistant city manager, provided an overview of Initiative 2124 and the Washington Cares long-term insurance program for the city council.
The Washington Cares program provides people who meet its requirement up to $36,500, adjusted for inflation, to cover certain long-term care services, such as nursing care facilities. The program is funded through mandatory contributions from employees.
Washington requires most full-time, part-time, and temporary employees to contribute 0.58% of their wages.
Regarding Initiative 2124, Sullivan explained that it would change how participation in the long-term insurance program works. Under the initiative, employees and self-employed individuals participating would be allowed to opt-out at any time.
Those who opt out would no longer be required to pay the premiums but would not be eligible for the $36,500 benefit.
If approved by voters, Sullivan said Initiative 2124 would repeal the provision that created a voluntary exemption for employees who purchased long-term care insurance before November 2021.
Two Olympia residents provided testimony opposing Initiative 2124.
Lisa Ornstein, speaking on behalf of community member Judith Bendersky, opposed the initiative during the public hearing.
Bendersky, a certified gerontologist, Medicare advisor, and aging and disabilities resource specialist, emphasized the importance of the Washington Cares long-term care program.
"For 25 years, I've met with families and individuals who have discovered that Medicare is not going to cover costs for their long-term care needs," Bendersky stated. "Many of them have had to spend down all the money they worked hard all their lives to qualify for the state's Medicaid program, known as Apple Health in Washington; they often have to spend down their assets and become nearly destitute."
Bendersky explained that long-term care insurance is unaffordable and inaccessible to anyone who has received a traumatic medical diagnosis.
Bendersky argued that "Washington Cares, which Initiative 2124 seeks to sabotage, is a 'brilliant remedy' for this problem."
Jim Lazar also testified against Initiative 2124. He warned that the initiative would undermine the sustainability of the Washington Care long-term care program. "Voters are offered a false economic choice by the initiative – a chance to save a few pennies now at a likely greater cost later.
Like social security, Lazar said people are contributing a small portion of their wages to the Washington Cares program to help provide long-term care support services and ensure additional stability for society and themselves when they need care later in life.
"By making our state's long-term care program opt-in would cause a death spiral that could ultimately bankrupt and kill the program." Lazar argued this would leave "millions of Washingtonians" without long-term care coverage.
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AugieH
Would a nanny state, which knows better than you what's good for you, be in favor of optional anything?
Thursday, October 17, 2024 Report this
Chris_R
The long-term care insurance program is a scam put in place by the special interest unions who donate to Inslee. Yes on 2124 is the only logical choice.
Thursday, October 17, 2024 Report this
Southsoundguy
The long term care plan is a joke. It is pennies that get paid out. the City is pandering to its overlords because they know they are ineffective leaders and will bankrupt the City without support from higher up the food chain.
Friday, October 18, 2024 Report this
Claire
$36,000 is a mere drop in the bucket for long-term care. This legislation was developed and passed by special interest groups lobbyists and legislators. Do they really think we are this stupid? Vote yes and pay less.
Friday, October 18, 2024 Report this
sonshi
0.58%. . . Significantly, there is no limit to the percentage it can be increased over the coming years. When it was first enacted, the discussion was that 0.7% was going to be more likely in the next couple years. I have a number of issues with this tax/fee, but this is the main one. If it is voted to continue as-is, there will be other programs/fees with the same structure. It's an income tax workaround.
Friday, October 18, 2024 Report this
OlyBlues
The Olympia City Council has never met a tax they don't like, so this is no surprise. Thank you to the JOLT for reporting this and other poor city council decisions so I know how not to vote. What is the city spending all the new public safety tax money on anyway? Where is the city's press release about this?
Friday, October 18, 2024 Report this
Yeti1981
I-2124 makes the program optional. If the program is so good, why would people opt-out?
Monday, October 21, 2024 Report this
Dogmom
Wow, we do have citizens that aren't brainwashed by telling you not to vote for Initiative 2124. You also can't be fooled by the Initiative because I have talked to a few people who think you have to vote no, when you actually wanted to vote YES. You have to read the Initiative. If this government program is so good, then why are they so worried about people wanting to opt out of it? Maybe, it's because it's not that great of a program if you have to be forced to participate. What happens if you move out of state or you die suddenly in an accident, what happens to that money you paid in? Your family won't get it and you lose it if you move out of state. They don't talk about that, and how long would $36,500 actually last? Well, if you got 5 to 6 months of care out of it, you are lucky. Who really benefits from this program? Ask yourselves that question. I find it interesting that Lazar says that people are contributing a small portion of their wages to the Washington Cares program but do they consider all the other taxes, fees and programs that take money out of YOUR wages At least, Social Security that you have paid into all your working years guarantees you money for the rest of your life no matter where you live. Vote YES on Initiative 2124. Thank you
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 Report this