The Direct Care News 
For direct care workers and their allies February 12, 2013
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Why We Direct Care Workers Need Paid Sick Days
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 | | Tracy Dudzinski |
Have you ever had to go to work when you are not feeling well? I have on several occasions, though I hated doing it. I know nobody likes going to work when they are sick, but I had another reason to want to stay home: I didn't want to expose the people I was caring for to whatever germs I was carrying. But as a direct care worker with a disabled husband, supporting a whole family on my wages plus what little we get from SSI, I could not afford not to work. We needed the paycheck, so I had no choice. Read more from Tracy Dudzinski.
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Direct from Washington, D.C.
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 Proposed rules published on implementation of health care reform's individual mandate: The Affordable Care Act is helping make health care affordable and accessible to millions of Americans, including hundreds of thousands of direct care workers. On January 30, the Obama administration published its proposed rules regarding the individual mandate, the provision of the health care law that requires most taxpayers to purchase health insurance. The individual mandate is scheduled to take effect January 1, 2014. In total, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that less than 2% of U.S. residents will be subject to a fine for not having health insurance. Learn more about direct care workers and the Affordable Care Act and implementation of the individual mandate. Tune in tonight to the State of the Union address: Tonight, President Obama will deliver the State of the Union address, an annual address to Congress in which the President speaks about the condition of the United States and his policy agenda. In tonight's address, President Obama is expected to focus on the economy, particularly job growth and expanding the middle class. Direct Care Alliance is urging the Obama administration and Congress to invest in direct care jobs--one of the fastest growing occupational sectors--as part of their efforts to strengthen the U.S. economy. Watch tonight's State of the Union at 9pm Eastern, and learn more about ways you can get involved in the conversation. |
A Call to Action, Amplified by Meetings with Fellow Advocates
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 | | Jessica Brill Ortiz |
Inspired by two events I attended last month, I'm feeling especially proud of the work Direct Care Alliance's members and network are doing to equip and empower direct care workers. I'm also even more aware than usual of how important it is for us to keep fighting until we reach our goal. As speakers at both events reminded me, direct care workers and other advocates for other low and moderate-wage workers and their families have seen significant, exciting victories over the past several years. But the need for continued advocacy remains. Read more from Jessica Brill Ortiz.
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Join Us in Austin on March 5 for a Medicaid Rally
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 On March 5, people from over 150 local, state and national organizations--including Direct Care Alliance (DCA)--will gather in Austin for a Texas Medicaid Matters advocacy day. Medicaid is the program that provides low-income individuals and families with crucial access to affordable health care. Together, we will call on legislators and policymakers to expand Medicaid so more direct care workers and other Texans have the health care they need. DCA and Texas Well and Healthy, the grassroots campaign that is helping to organize the advocacy event, are covering the main participation costs for a limited number of attendees. We hope you will join us! Learn more. |
