Why supporters of Washington's long-term care program are worried
With a looming ballot initiative threatening to upend the finances of Washington’s long-term care benefit, the state is looking at contingency plans.
But these may not be enough to save the fledgling program.
The tax that funds the program, known as WA Cares, is now automatically deducted from the paychecks of most workers in Washington. Analyses of Initiative 2124, which would make paying into WA Cares voluntary, show that if voters approve the measure, it would push the program toward insolvency and make it unsustainable in the long term.
With six months until Election Day, WA Cares supporters are sounding the alarm.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/07/why-supporters-of-washingtons-long-term-care-program-are-worried/
Initiative 2124 to make the state’s long-term care program optional
What would the initiative do?
Initiative 2124 would amend the state’s long-term care program, known as WA Cares, so all workers would have a choice about whether to participate in it and can opt out at any time. As is, most workers in the state must take part in WA Cares and pay a tax supporting the program.
What is WA Cares?
WA Cares applies a 0.58% tax on the paychecks of workers in Washington. The tax went into effect in July 2023.
Beginning in July 2026, those who qualify can begin accessing the program’s long-term care benefit, which has a lifetime cap of $36,500. The money can be used to offset expenses like caretaking, equipment, medication and meals for people who are older, injured or disabled.
Some workers aren’t required to participate. These include people who live outside of Washington but work in the state, spouses of active-duty military service members, those with non-immigrant work visas, and veterans who meet certain disability requirements.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/05/07/wa-decides-initiative-2124-to-make-the-states-long-term-care-program-optional/