OLYMPIA—As the population in the United States ages, more of us will need to access long-term care. Washington state led the nation by becoming the first state in the nation to implement a universal long-term care insurance program called WA Cares.
“Family is one of the most important things in the world,” said prime sponsor of House Bill 1142 Rep. Nicole Macri (D-Seattle), “I am committed to ensuring that Washingtonians can care for their families on their own terms.”
This groundbreaking program allows working Washingtonians to contribute to a shared fund that will be accessible to contributors who meet the requirements for care. WA Cares started in 2023 and benefits for contributors will be accessible in July 2026.
HB 1142 passed off the House floor on Thursday, Feb. 6 by a vote of 88 to 8.
“Many families must choose between working outside the home, caring for family members at home, or placing them in a care facility outside the home,” Macri said. “WA Cares makes aging with dignity and independence easier while allowing more family caregivers to stay in the workforce and maintain financial stability.”
HB 1142 is a necessary component of WA Cares that aligns training and certification requirements for long-term care workers providing in-home care for family members regardless of the care provider.
This legislation ensures parity between individual care providers and other standard home care aides by extending lower training requirements to family members employed by home care agencies. Additionally, it facilitates a smoother transition for care recipients and paid family members in case they decide to change the employer type, as well as establishes a new category to pay spousal providers within WA Cares.
“Choosing between financially providing and caring for loved ones is a difficult decision,” Macri said. “This bill helps make that decision easier. No one should have to choose between financial stability and their family.”
HB 1142 is now in the Senate Health & Long-Term Care Committee.
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