| Author | Subject: Spousal care progam ok for now. |
| Injured | Posted At 14:25:02 02/25/2000
Spouses likely to keep fragile hold on caregiving In a reversal, legislators recommend saving a program to compensate family nursing help Friday, February 25, 2000 By Erin Hoover Barnett of The Oregonian staff SALEM -- In a dramatic turnaround, legislators on Thursday decided to save a state program that pays people a subsistence wage to care for their severely ill spouses. "These people are not going to be kicked off the spousal support," proclaimed Sen. Lenn Hannon, R-Ashland, chairman of the legislative Emergency Board's human services committee, in a Capitol hearing room. His words sent a ripple of teary-eyed smiles through an audience dominated by men in wheelchairs and their caregiver wives. The committee's recommendation is expected to easily pass the full board today. During its session last year, the Legislature eliminated the state's innovative spousal pay program because the federal government does not help fund it, leaving the state to absorb the full $7 million tab. The state created the program in 1987, stepping in where the federal government would not. The cut was to take effect March 31, forcing the 200 people who receive the benefit to leave their ailing spouses' sides and find other jobs. The state planned to hire outside caregivers to attend to these people. Such caregivers get on average $1,525 a month, as compared with $1,200 for spousal caregivers. But the federal government picks up more than half of the paycheck for outside caregivers, lessening the burden on the state by about $3.4 million over two years. However, in the months after the Legislature adjourned, as the people living in these difficult situations began telling their stories, what lawmakers thought made good fiscal sense began to look akin to kicking a puppy. The debate over the program introduced many lawmakers to a largely hidden group of Oregonians who, because of modern medicine, are alive but in need of tremendous care -- a group that is sure to grow as the population ages. Rep. Barbara Ross, D-Corvallis, and a member of the human services committee, called it a "dramatic opportunity" to learn of these couples' valiant struggles. Earlier this week, Emergency Board members discussed ways to save a portion of the spousal pay program. But the human services committee decided Thursday to recommend to the full Emergency Board that the entire program be continued by cobbling together money from several pots and pressuring the federal government to help. The committee vowed to use Emergency Board funds to make up the difference after the state's budget is rebalanced in April. But lawmakers are recommending that no additional people be brought on to the spousal pay program until the funding situation is stabilized. The six committee members and other board members made gracious statements about the need for everyone to pull together to keep this program. But some could not resist assessing blame. Hannon dressed down Gary Weeks, the Department of Human Services administrator, and two of his lieutenants for not getting the federal government to approve a demonstration project sooner that would help pay 64 spousal caregivers in Coos, Jackson, Josephine and Clackamas counties. He also chided them for pushing a project that addresses only a portion of the problem. "Please don't drop the ball on us," Hannon said. Weeks, who seemed a bit stunned, calmly responded, "We are as disappointed as you are that it took 20 months to get the federal government to do something." Afterward, Weeks complimented the committee for its decision and said lawmakers had faced many difficult choices when they cut the spousal program last session. But when pressed, he said he had made it clear to the Legislature what was at stake for the vulnerable people served by this program. Weeks said four other states have gotten similar demonstration projects funded but that it took them from 16 to 24 months to do so. Oregon anticipates funding of its four-county project by July 1, 24 months after making the request. Sen. Frank Shields, D-Portland, mildly chastised lawmakers who seemed to try to pin the blame on state officials. "Let's not try to duck our responsibility as a Legislature," he said. Bill Barron of Mapleton, his legs atrophied by post-polio syndrome, sat throughout the meeting in his motorized wheelchair beside his wife and caregiver, Lucinda Barron. The couple had worried for months that the program would be cut, interrupting the delicate routine they have established to make Bill Barron's life bearable. When Hannon pronounced the spousal care program saved, Lucinda squeezed Bill's hand. "I started breathing again," she said. But Gordon and Mary Onderdonk were not as lucky. Mary suffered for years from rheumatoid arthritis, relying on Gordon for her care. In nearly 20 years of marriage, they had never spent a night without each other. When they learned that Gordon might have to stop being her caregiver, they got on the telephone, pleading with lawmakers and telling their story to any journalist who would listen. Gordon and Mary were not in the audience Thursday. Mary Onderdonk died Jan. 30 at age 41. Isn't it amazing what happens to lawmakers during an election year |
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Re: Spousal care progam ok for now. (Currently 0 replies)
Posted At 17:26:08 02/25/2000 What's this?? The Oregonian FINALLY reconizing the injured and disabled?? I don't believe my eyes! |
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