To the Editor:
Say No to I-2124.
I’m 61 and I’m caregiving for my 88-year-old father who has dementia and Alzheimer’s. He’s a veteran, so he gets some help thanks to that, but he lives with me so I can provide most of the care for him.
Caregiving is hard work. It often requires around the clock attention and professional help can become expensive quickly. That’s why I’m so supportive of WA Cares, our state’s new long-term care insurance program.
The fact is, most people can’t afford private long-term care insurance. For a single man at 55 years old, premiums can cost around $2,220 per year, while single women will likely see premiums around $3,700 per year.
And that’s if you’re lucky enough to qualify – many of us would be rejected outright due to a pre-existing condition like diabetes or cancer.
For many people, WA Cares is the only option.
But on this November’s ballot, Initiative 2124 threatens to bankrupt WA Cares, forcing millions of Washingtonians to either go without coverage or take on the hefty financial burden of private coverage.
This is why groups like Senior Life Resources Northwest, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are calling for a “No” vote on Initiative 2124. As a caregiver, I know I’ll be voting “No” as well.
Kent Bodda
Granite Falls
