I’m incredulous at the position of Providence administration relevant to the ongoing contract negotiations with the hospice and home-care workers (“High caseloads are compromising care, hospice workers say,” The Herald, Nov. 25).
Stating that these employees’ caseloads are lower than the national average and lower than other state hospice and home-care workers is a hollow excuse for not providing a fair contract. Our country and our state chronically underfunds programs that serve our most vulnerable citizens.
I suspect hospice and home-care workers all over the country would say the size of their caseloads negatively impacts their ability to provide the quality care they want for their patients. The bottom line is this: If the Providence hospice and home-care workers say their caseloads are too high and patients’ care is being compromised, then management should listen and offer a contract that solves the problem.
During the three months my mom has been on hospice, I’ve nothing but praise for these hardworking, caring, responsive and skilled individuals. Providence management, trust your employees and get to work on a fair contract.
Diane Flynn
Marysville
