Comments on: Why So Many of Us Don’t Have Health Care Insurance

By: rhena whilby-argoe

rhena whilby-argoe — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:00:27 +0000

Don am so proud of you writing your story on behalf of all direct care workers, alot of other working americans dont know that we as direct care workers dont have medical benifits or insurance.

By: Helen Hanson

Helen Hanson — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 21:50:46 +0000

Don, I’m going to take your article with me as the Direct Care Worker Taskforce meets again on Monday afternoon. Here in Maine, four pieces of legislation made it through the legislature this past session. All four pieces mention the workforce, with two specifically addressing worker issues; wages and health insurance. I’m trying to arrange a meeting for just the workers to talk to the Department of Health and Human Services, without providers in the room. The workers deserve a chance to talk to the Department.
Thank you for such a great article.
PS, I’m a 2008 graduate of Voices. Welcome aboard!

By: Bridget Siljander

Bridget Siljander — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:55 +0000

Great article, Don! Thanks for providing so much insight into the issues around the health care barrier for direct care workers. Our stories are so important for educating others and to help illustrate the complexities in the direct care system.

By: Lori Michael

Lori Michael — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:37:28 +0000

Agencies would go into debt if they paid overtime. Ask your supervisors how many hours they work each week. As salaried people, I bet they work way more than 40 hour (but get paid based on 40 hours) to get their jobs done. Reimbursements need to increase to address your pay issues. Agencies don’t have the ability to charge what they want.