This home job that I have is my living. If I didn’t have it I couldn’t live. I pay my car payment and food with it. It means the world to me to have it. For my son, if this program is discontinued or cut, it would mean that I would have to put him in a group home. I don’t want that and neither does he.
I decided to get involved in the union because it’s the only way to get people in Lansing to pay attention to us. I’m
tired of them acting like home care isn’t a real job. Taking care of my son is a real job and we should be respected.

GOP lawmakers say they support Medicaid’s Home and Community Based programs that provide long-term services and supports in the community rather than in nursing homes. Many GOP governors are leading efforts to shift Medicaid spending to home care. Yet the new GOP budget, which the House is likely to pass on Thursday, would slash the very federal programs that provide the infrastructure this vulnerable population needs to stay at home.

The House would not directly cut Medicaid long-term care benefits themselves. But it would entirely eliminate funding for the Social Services Block Grant program, which helps fund Meals on Wheels, transportation, and other important assistance for people with chronic disease who live at home. It would also eliminate or cut other key programs for respite care, food stamps for low-income seniors, and other key services.

Even with a well-functioning Medicaid home care program, it is not possible for the low-income frail elderly to live safely at home without these additional supports. Medicaid itself does not pay for these services but they are often not available without other federal support.

Without this assistance, many frail elderly will have no choice other than to move into a nursing facility–an inappropriate setting for many and a more costly option for Medicaid.

Read more. Be sure to sign up here to protect home care in Michigan.

(313)409-4339

They discussed important issues like Senate Bill 1018 and changes to the Home Help program.

“I’m glad I attended the meeting because it was very informative about the cuts the state is making to the Home Help program,” Raymond Gollis, a home care worker said. “The program is a valuable resource to Michigan because it saves us money by keeping our family and friends at home and out of expensive nursing homes.”

Meeting host Marcia said her favorite part was getting to know other home care workers in her area.

“Hearing other home care workers share their stories really touched my heart,” she said. “I can relate to those who have taken care of their mothers, brothers and family–I have and still am. I’m glad we were able to come together and unite to protect our program for the future.”

To find a meeting in your area, click here.

(313)409-4015

3.   Keep the “Notice of Negative Action” document that the caseworker sent in the mail, it will have important information you will need for your hearing.

4.   Have the person you take care of (or their guardian) call the caseworker’s supervisor.

5.   Have the person you take care of (or their guardian) request a “Fair Hearing” from the state before the deadline.

6.   Contact our Member Services Department at 866-734-8466 for further assistance. We’re here to help!

“It’s nice to be around other home care workers and union members to remind us that we’re all in this together, ” said Jondra Atkinson. “I’m excited to take the information I got back to home care workers in Detroit. With knowledge comes power.”

Classes offered at Clare included: Mobilize Your Coworkers Into Action, Stress Management, Time Management, Protesting What’s Right and more.

In the fall, we will offer a similar training to our stewards and home care leaders in the Metro-Detroit area.