I-2124 (WA Cares opt out): Vote no to preserve care benefit

Thank you, Herald Editorial Board, for your recent editorial, regarding Initiative 2124 (“Opt-out of WA Cares would cost more later,” The Herald, Sept. 24).

As the editorial pointed out, I-2124 would essentially kill the program, not fix it. This initiative would increase costs and debt for struggling families leaving them with little or no options for providing for their long-term care needs. Particularly, I-2124 will harm women the most because they are the bulk of the caregivers leaving their jobs to provide care for their loved ones.

Washington’s long-term care benefit is a safety net, like Social Security or Medicare, set up to allow seniors and disabled or severely ill adults to live with dignity and stability. That is why I am voting no in I-2124.

Thank you, Herald Editorial Board, for providing the facts.

Zelda Foxall

Seattle