Subject: [Caregivingcoalition] National Eldercare Workforce Alliance Call-InDay
Please Call Your Representative Tomorrow, June 23, between 9am and 6pm ET.
Send a Message that a Strong Eldercare Workforce is Critical to Health Reform and Quality Care for Seniors.
Here’s How:
Dial: 800-958-5374 and say the name of your Representative: (insert Representative’s name -- note: EWA members who have a system like CapWiz can automatically provide representative’s name—or—insert the following text: “Not sure of your Representative’s name? Go to www.house.gov and insert your zip code in the upper left hand corner.”)
Here is a sample message for your call:
“Hello. My name is ________ , I live in (city/state). I believe that a strong eldercare workforce is essential to health reform. I urge support of:
· H.R. 468, the Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act of 2009
· H.R. 1457, the Geriatrics Loan Forgiveness Act of 2009
· Expansion of the Geriatrics Health Professions Education and Training Programs under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act
· Greater federal minimum wage and overtime protection for 1.5 million home care workers under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Thank you!
Background:
By 2030, one in five Americans will be age 65 or older, 75% of whom will have one or more chronic conditions. Many older adults and those with chronic diseases do not receive the care they need because of an inadequately trained healthcare workforce, clinician and faculty shortages, and poor working conditions for direct-care workers.
We can strengthen the eldercare workforce by urging Congress to include the following measures as part of health reform:
· Increase the federal match for all home- and community-based services funded under Medicaid.
· Expand the Geriatrics Health Professions Education and Training Programs under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act to increase the supply of essential healthcare professionals.
· Extend greater federal minimum wage and overtime protection under the Fair Labor Standards Act to 1,500,000 home care workers.
· Provide loan forgiveness for professional training in geriatric care.
· Support appropriate care coordination services under Medicare and Medicaid.
· Provide training and support for direct-care workers and family caregivers.
for more information on the Eldercare Workforce Alliance and its legislative priorities, visit: www.eldercareworkforce.org Thank you.
