In my job as an executive director of an assisted living community, I see every day the difference it makes when we are able to provide consistent, quality care for Washington’s aging elders, including those who rely on Medicaid.
Our leaders and staff are deeply passionate about their work, dedicating themselves to serving an underserved population of Medicaid residents. They truly love what they do, knowing the impact they make every day. However, it has been a challenge to consistently retain and attract the right people due to the limited resources available. Unfortunately, we struggle to give competitive wages, which makes it difficult to maintain a steady and skilled workforce.
I want to thank our legislators who are working hard in Olympia to find solutions to our state’s budget crisis. As they identify next steps, I hope they will keep our seniors top of mind. The care provided through Medicaid is an essential service, and it is our responsibility to identify any opportunity we can to lower barriers to that care.
