Shame on The Columbian for not taking the time to get the facts straight before supporting Initiative 2124 (“No on initiatives 2109 and 2066; yes on 2124,” In Our View, Oct. 5).
This measure is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. It doesn’t give us choices; it takes them away, because making the program optional would bankrupt it, according to independent experts. By destroying a lifeline designed to help during the most challenging time of our lives, I-2124 will harm the more than 820,000 family caregivers in Washington, and millions more who can’t afford or qualify for private long-term care insurance.
Until the need for long-term care happens to you or a loved one, you may prefer to live in denial. But the facts are that all of us either will end up needing help with daily living tasks ourselves as a result of an injury, illness, disease or age, or will become a caregiver for a loved one.
Just ask the more than 49,000 family caregivers in Clark County how state long-term care benefits would help them.
I hope the hardworking people of our county will get the facts and vote “no” on I-2124, protecting an essential resource the vast majority of us will need.
