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State Representative Tina Liebling
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-0573
For more information contact: Ted Modrich 651-296-5809
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DFL LEGISLATORS CALL FOR REVERSAL OF CUTS TO PCA’S
(ST. PAUL) — Last year’s final budget agreement included a 20 percent wage cut to Personal Care Assistants (PCA) who provide care to a relative. After issuing a temporary order to block the cuts last fall, a judge ruled last week that the cuts could be imposed.
With the House set to vote on the Omnibus Health and Human Services bill today, DFL members called on Republicans to join them in supporting an amendment to the bill that would reverse the cut.
State Representative Tina Liebling is the chief author of HF 1907, a bill that would reverse the wage cut.
“We’re here today to highlight one of the most tragic cuts made last year when Republicans refused to ask the wealthiest Minnesotans and corporations to pay their fair share," said Rep. Liebling.
“The PCAs whose wages are about to be cut are caring for disabled family members, and providing excellent care at a lower cost to the state. They aren’t doing this for the money; it’s a labor of love. Often they have given up other employment and are only able to do this because they receive a little money from the state.”
Barbara Christenson shared her story at the event. Barbara’s husband Charles is a PCA for their son Steven, who is suffering from multiple sclerosis.
“We feel we have saved the State of Minnesota money by caring for Steven at home instead of in a nursing home,” said Christenson. “We only asked for help the last eight years. With our income being so much less due to retirement and the extent of care Steven needed increasing, it was necessary to ask for help. When we met with Anoka County it was the hardest thing to ask. We’ve paid our way, never asking for handouts.
“Steven has been a wonderful son. How could we put him in a nursing home? But for the grace of God this could be any one of your family members. Could you put as son or daughter in a nursing home at age 33? Every night when lights go out we hear, ‘Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Mom.’ Please don’t make life harder for relatives who care for a loved one. Coping with the illness is hard enough.”
The cut would force nearly 7,000 Minnesotans who are PCA’s into the choice of leaving their job, or earning less than $10 an hour. At that wage, many PCA’s would fall below the poverty line. In many cases, this cut could actually cost the state money. Many caregivers could be forced to find additional employment and the state would have to pay for a non-relative to provide care. With this cut, some family caregivers would qualify for food stamps or heating assistance.
“The stories we hear everyday are heartbreaking and something we should never allow to happen in our great state,” added Rep. Liebling. “Why we asked personal care assistants to bear the brunt of our budget deficit is beyond me. We’re standing here asking Republicans to do the right thing and reverse these devastating cuts.”
News Items
- Rep. Tina Liebling Named Chair of House Health and Human Services Policy Committee - (Posted: 2012-11-16 00:00:00)
- Statement on DEED Bonding Project Announcement - (Posted: 2012-09-13 00:00:00)
- Local Legislators to Hold Town Hall Meeting - (Posted: 2012-07-19 00:00:00)
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