Press Releases: 2005 Releases

Americans Ask Congress, Who Will Care? (9/14/2005)

Washington, DC, September 14, 2005 – Thousands of Americans from across the nation have signed on to www.WhoWillCare.net to send more than 28,000 letters to all 435 Members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging them to support bipartisan legislation for professional caregivers.

Professional caregivers, also known as direct support professionals, are the backbone of community-based health services for millions of people with disabilities and aging Americans. They assist people with disabilities and aging Americans with their daily affairs, including getting dressed, taking medications, personal hygiene and preparing and eating meals. With the help of direct support professionals, individuals with disabilities work, volunteer and contribute to their communities.

However, direct support professional wages, which are almost entirely publicly financed through Medicaid, are increasing well below comparable jobs and even the minimum wage. According to the Department of Labor, the wages of personal and home care aides increased only $0.82 from 1992-2000 versus $4.11 for fast food workers.

As a result, the annual direct support professional workforce turn-over rate is between 40 to 75 percent nationwide. Making matters worse, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the demand for direct support professionals will increase 62 percent by 2010 as Americans grow older.

“So many Americans have joined WhoWillCare.net because their families see the effects of this caregiver crisis everyday,” said Renee L. Pietrangelo, CEO of ANCOR. “They worry that without a stable workforce of direct support professionals their health, independence and dignity are in jeopardy.”

WhoWillCare.net and its supporters are calling on Members of Congress to join Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA) in co-sponsoring the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act H.R. 1264.

If enacted, the legislation would promote fair support professional wages in an effort to stabilize the high turnover and vacancy rates. Increased wages and lower turnover rates will improve support for people with disabilities to live in their community and provide families with assurances that their loved one’s health and independence is ensured.

WhoWillCare.net is an Internet-driven campaign created through a partnership between the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), two of the nation’s largest non-profit health organizations whose respective members and affiliates provide services to hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities.

Visitors to www.WhoWillCare.net can send a free letter to their Member of Congress, learn more about the caregiver crisis, read stories about direct support professionals and sign a petition calling on state lawmakers to take action on this important issue.

About ANCOR

The American Network of Community Options and Resources is a nonprofit trade association representing and advocating on behalf of the more than 800 private providers of services and supports for 385,000 Americans with disabilities. ANCOR is distinguished in the provider industry by its balance of leading practices resources and advocacy for member agencies and the people and families they serve and support. For more information, visit www.ancor.org or call (703) 535-7850.

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. Most UCP consumers are people with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Through its nationwide network, United Cerebral Palsy offers services to individuals, families and communities such as job training and placement, physical therapy, individual and family support, early intervention, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, and instruction on how to use technology to perform everyday tasks. For more information, visit www.ucp.org or call (800) 872-5827.

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