The Direct Care News 
For direct care workers and their allies April 3, 2012
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Wisconsin Elder Care Advocates Win Budget Battle
|  Advocates for the aging and people with disabilities in Wisconsin achieved an important victory on March 19 when the governor signed a law lifting the caps that had been imposed on three key Medicaid programs supplying home and community-based services.
We talked to Lisa Pugh (pictured), the public policy coordinator at Disability Rights Wisconsin, about how the advocates won and why it matters.
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Direct from Washington, DC
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Health care reform in trouble? The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a case to repeal parts or all of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Prior to last week's oral arguments, most legal experts expected the Court to issue a decision validating the law, but analysts are no longer so sure that will be the case. A decision is expected this summer. If the Court does decide to strike down the law, it would be a tremendous setback for the estimated 900,000 direct care workers currently without health insurance. While many supporters of the health care reform law are concerned, President Obama recently expressed his confidence that the Court will uphold the law.
Secretary Solis urges Congress to support workers: U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis told a House of Representatives subcommittee that we must invest in a competitive workforce in order to continue revitalizing our economy. That includes improving access to education and job training as well as critical wage and hour protections, she said. The Secretary presented her statement on her department's FY 2013 budget request to the House Committee on Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.
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Houston Partnership Honors, Educates Direct Care Workers
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 | | Brenda Nachtway |
Last week, I got to visit with a group of direct care workers in Houston, Texas, when I was invited to present at the 15th annual Hearts at Work conference. I also learned about the workforce development initiatives that go on in Houston during the rest of the year. The purpose of the conference is to thank direct care workers for their work and dedication to the field and to enhance their skills. I attended several wonderful sessions before my own presentation, which was on leadership training and how direct care workers can advocate for themselves. Read more from Brenda.
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