With election on the horizon, Wisconsin’s caregivers seek better health care options

Corinne Hendrickson runs a day care out of her New Glarus home. On a recent Friday morning, she moved quickly to clean up the dishes, play with the dinosaurs, and remind the kids that throwing toys is dangerous. She was doing all of these things at the same time.

Mr. Hendrickson’s work is non-stop and he is qualified to care for eight children by himself in a two-room addition at the back of the house. She loves her job, but she said her child care industry is in crisis, with costs too high for her family and salaries too low to keep all the staff at the same time.

“We are all overburdened and stressed,” she said.

And one piece of that puzzle is health care.

It is very rare for health care providers to obtain health insurance through their employer. She gets money from her husband’s job, which she said is especially common with her in-home child care.

“Some of us are tied into marriage because we need health insurance,” she says.

Hendrickson said some childcare workers remain on their parents’ insurance, but leave the childcare industry as they age past their 26th birthday.Some people find state health insurance plans marketand others receive insurance through Medicaid.

Beth Swedeen, executive director of the Wisconsin Commission on Developmental Disabilities, said of people who work in care jobs, such as child care, disability care and elder care, “They are the very working poor.” Told. “They are low-wage workers and are eligible for the program even if they are working full time.”

WPR readers wonder if Medicaid expansion would help

In this election year, WPR is asking people what their elected officials can do to improve their communities. Medicaid expansion and health insurance affordability are a concern for many people, and we found that health care accessibility and affordability are especially important to Wisconsin’s long-term care workforce.

New London resident Mary Swifka’s 26-year-old son, Noah, has Down syndrome and works with support professionals 32 hours a week. Swifka, who first contacted her WPR about medical issues in her care, said it gives her a sense of independence.

“It’s important to give him a chance to do something away from home and away from his mom and dad,” she said.

But she knows how poorly paid caregivers are and how difficult it is to find medical care. Noah’s caregivers receive insurance through Medicaid.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, home health care and child care Both are in the top 10 industries with the highest number of working Medicaid enrollees.

To qualify for Wisconsin’s largest Medicaid program, known as Badgercare Plus, you must have an income at or below the federal poverty rate. Approximately $1,200 per month if living alone. This poses a problem for some caregivers, Sweden said.

“A significant number of workers only work a certain number of hours a week because if they work more than that they would lose their Medicaid health insurance, which is the only health insurance they can get and pay for,” Sweden said. said.

Swifka said she has experienced how difficult it is to find and keep good caregivers for people with disabilities, and healthcare is one of the reasons why.

Kaylin Neustifter, assistant director of Chiemsee Castle Day Care Center in Oshkosh, sees the same problem in child care. She said some of her staff have to limit their work hours to take advantage of Badgercare, which can cause problems with scheduling.

“That affects the business in general, because you have people who say, ‘Sorry, you can only work three days a week, otherwise you’re going to overpay,'” she says.

Neustifter earned too much to qualify for badger care and chose to live without insurance except for family planning coverage. through another Medicaid program. The income limit is higher.

Nationally, the median hourly wage for childcare workers is just $14.60 per hour. Neustifter said she was surprised to learn that more people are not eligible for full Medicaid coverage.

“Day care is not a place where you can get paid a ridiculous amount of money anyway,” she says. “So it’s already a little hard to believe that we won’t be able to qualify…we’ll have to make even less money.”

Sierra Cramer, the center’s director, said the industry’s low wages and lack of benefits create a cycle of constant labor shortages. She said there are more requests from the community than there is space.

“But if we can hire some more staff, we could increase enrollment,” she said.

Some advocates say Medicaid expansion could play a role

Wisconsin is One of 10 states not accepting federal funds for Medicaid expansion. In that case, the person who earns the most will 138 percent of the federal poverty level You can get Badgercare. Some say that would allow caregivers to work more without worrying about losing health insurance.

Democratic Gov. Tony Evers has proposed expanding Medicaid in every budget since he was elected in 2018.

But Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said that’s a non-starter. He said that’s not necessary because Wisconsin already allows people at or below the federal poverty rate to receive coverage through Medicaid. This is not the case in other non-expanded states.

Robin Ludowitz, director of Medicaid and uninsured programs at the Kaiser Family Foundation, said many people who make too much money for badger care should be eligible for subsidized plans through the Marketplace. Told.

“Many individuals in that income range are eligible for comprehensive coverage with zero premiums,” she said. “However, there may be additional out-of-pocket costs that differ from Medicaid coverage.”

But Ludowitz said there may be barriers.and the data shows 35% of uninsured people nationwide Eligible for Marketplace subsidy plans.

Marketplaces are a good fit for some people, but others face barriers

Kaylin Neustifter of Oshkosh said she looked into the marketplace but found the process too chaotic.

“It felt like things were coming from different places,” she said. “I don’t go to the doctor unless I feel it’s absolutely necessary. I’m in pretty good health.”

But for people like Al Trautman, planning in the marketplace made the most sense. She works in respite care for special needs children in Milwaukee. She previously had Badgercare, but was tired of having to keep her hours low enough to continue her eligibility.

“I was always on the edge, so I made it work,” she said. “Just trying to make a little bit of money to get ahead didn’t really get you there, and it put you at greater risk of financial hardship.”

Now, she says the Marketplace plan works well for her needs and allows her to work as much as she wants.

“I now have more freedom to do all the crazy and different work that I love doing and that requires the help of my family,” she said.

Still, she said people in the long-term care industry deserve better options and that will be on her mind when deciding who to vote for this year.

This story is part of WPR’s efforts to connect with and better serve Wisconsin voters this election season. I would like to know the information I need about how to vote. What would you like candidates to talk about? Tell us here what issues are most important to you and your community.