Oregon Governor Signs Law Creating Commission to Coordinate In-Home Care

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) on Aug. 2 signed into law a measure (HB 3816) that creates an independent Quality Home Care Commission to help coordinate in-home care for elderly and disabled Medicaid beneficiaries, the Portland Oregonian reports. The commission, which aims to improve the quality of both in-home care and working conditions for home care workers, will be the "employer of record" for more than 10,000 home care workers, enabling them to unionize. The Oregonian reports that although the majority of advocacy groups support the commission, some "wonder if it is the best approach." Jacqueline Zimmer, director of the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities, said, "I can't say how long it's going to take them (the commissioners) even to decide what they're going to negotiate on. Meanwhile, (home care workers) still aren't paid well and training still isn't standardized." In September, the state Legislature's Emergency Board is expected to allocate $300,000 to the commission for staffing and operating costs (Barnett, Portland Oregonian, 8/2).