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People with Disabilities and
Older Pennsylvanians Opponents of the Rendell Administration’s proposed state-run homecare agency, known as the Consumer Workforce Council, today urged lawmakers to focus their attention on strengthening the existing homecare system instead of introducing another layer of bureaucracy. Two House Committees – Aging & Older Adult Services and Labor Relations – heard testimony from administration officials as well as proponents and opponents of the Council including members of the Coalition for R.E.A.L. Home and Community-Based Services in Pennsylvania. Homecare agency owner Joe Bakey of Delaware County questioned the funding sources of a Consumer Workforce Council. “There doesn’t seem to be a business plan, only vague details and an estimated start-up cost of $500,000,” said Bakey. “The state has a responsibility to taxpayers to demonstrate the full financial implications of the proposal. Before the state gets into the homecare business, a lot of questions must be answered.” People with Disabilities and
Older Pennsylvanians April 27, 2009 People with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians, who employ homecare workers to assist them with daily living, today urged the General Assembly to require legislative oversight of the proposed Consumer Workforce Council (CWC). Members of the R.E.A.L. Coalition said lawmakers need to determine the cost of creating a new state-run homecare agency and how it could adversely impact people who employ homecare attendants. “We need to know exactly how much this new bureaucracy will cost. The more money spent to create a state-run agency, the less money there is for people who actually need the services,” said Keith Williams, a community organizer for the Northeast PA Center for Independent Living, who has employed attendants since 1988. People with Disabilities and Older Pennsylvanians Oppose New State Agency Regulating Caregivers Consumer Workforce Council threatens consumers' authority to manage caregivers and their ability to choose the homecare workers they want April 1, 2009 People with disabilities and older Pennsylvanians who employ homecare workers are concerned about a proposal to create a state-run homecare agency, the Consumer Workforce Council (CWC), which hurts their ability to choose the caregiver they want and creates mandates on how homecare workers are managed. “This is an unwanted government intrusion that affects my ability to choose and manage my homecare workers,” said Keith Williams, a community organizer for the Northeast PA Center for Independent Living, who has employed attendants to assist him with activities of daily living since 1988.Click here for a copy of the press release. REAL Coalition Express Concerns with
Proposed Council Could Require Workers to Join State-funded Homecare Agency November 20, 2008 A coalition of home and community-based providers testified today at a hearing of the House Republican Policy Committee to express concerns about a proposal that could require workers who provide in-home care to seniors and individuals with disabilities to join a state-funded homecare registry called the Consumer Workforce Council. “Having what is in essence a state-operated homecare agency would be redundant and a very unnecessary expense for Pennsylvania taxpayers," said Vicki Hoak, executive director of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, whose organization is a member of the Coalition for REAL (Respected, Empowered, Accessible and Loyal) Home and Community-Based Services. "There is already an expansive home and community-based provider network in the commonwealth. There are nearly 800 homecare agencies caring for thousands of our elderly and individuals with disabilities every day.” Click here for a copy of the press release. REAL Coalition Opposes Proposed Consumer Workforce Council September 25, 2008 A coalition of home and community-based providers today strongly criticized a proposal under consideration by Acting Secretary of Labor and Industry Sandi Vito that could require workers who provide in-home care to seniors and individuals with disabilities to join a state-funded registry called the Consumer Workforce Council. “Having what is in essence a state-operated homecare agency would be redundant and a very unnecessary expense for Pennsylvania taxpayers. There is already an expansive home and community-based provider network in the commonwealth. There are nearly 800 homecare agencies caring for thousands of our elderly and individuals with disabilities every day,” said Vicki Hoak, executive director of the Pennsylvania Homecare Association, whose organization is a member of the Coalition for REAL (Respected, Empowered, Accessible and Loyal) Home and Community-Based Services. Clcik here for a copy of the press release. Media Contact Christine Tondrick, Communications Director Pennsylvania Homecare Association (800) 382-1211 ext. 22 (717) 712-9807– mobile ctondrick@pahomecare.org |
