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Congressman Announces Direct Support Worker Bill

Representatives Terry (R-NE) and Capps (D-CA) To Introduce New Law

By Jim Baker

Washington, D.C., September 21, 2004 — Representative Lee Terry (R-Nebraska) announced his intention to introduce the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act at the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) conference today.

The new law will take dramatic strides towards ensuring direct support professionals are compensated fairly. Co-sponsored by Representative Lois Capps (D-California), the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act will be formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives as soon as next week.

In announcing the legislation, Representative Terry told ANCOR members, "I appreciate and respect what you do for the disability community."

Ron Cohen, Executive Director of UCP of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and a member of ANCOR, was critical in gaining Representative Capps’ support. In recent years, Capps has attended UCP events, toured facilities, and spoken to consumers and parents.

"A [direct support professional] wage bill has never been put before Congress by anyone, any champion, or any organization," said Cohen. "It will change everyone’s lives."

There are more than 2 million aides, personal assistance workers, and direct support professionals who provide services to 4 million Americans with disabilities who depend on long term services and supports.

According to the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, the average wage of home care workers in 2000 was $8.23 per hour, while the average wage of personal care workers was just $7.50. Many workers can earn higher hourly wages, and even receive health care benefits, in less demanding jobs in the fast food and retail industries.

The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) reported the average income for all nursing home direct-care staff was just $13,287; so low that the American Journal of Public Health reported that more than 1.3 million health care workers provide care that they and their families cannot expect to receive.

The federal government currently pays 62% of all direct-care dollars spent, and the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act will begin to establish a desperately needed national policy on the financing of long-term services and supports. A national financing policy is the essential foundation for additional reforms.

Though the legislation has little hope this year, Representative Terry made clear that the initial work will be to lay a foundation for the bill pass through the House and Senate next year. He urged the disability community to lobby members of Congress to support the bill.

"Direct support workers are on the front lines caring for millions of Americans with disabilities," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. "While we place our trust in these workers to provide services for our loved ones, we ignore their basic needs for fair wages and benefits. That is why this bill is so important, and we must urge the entire Congress to join Representatives Terry and Capps to pass this bill and make right this injustice."

For more information about the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act, contact Jim Baker at jbaker@ucp.org.

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