COPA–Resurrection, SEIU team up to prevent wage cuts to home health care workers

County budget cuts were threatening a 10% pay cut to home health care workers, many who are like Sylvia Lucas, a Resurrection parishioner and member of SEIU, who along with husband Joe Lucas, provide care to their adult son Michael, paralyzed by an injury accident. When fellow Resurrection parish COPA core team members learned of the potential cut of Sylvia’s pay from $11.50/hr to $10.35/hr, they joined Michael and his family in organizing a petition drive and leading actions with the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors in support of the SEIU United Long Term Care Workers efforts for a living wage for people who care for the elderly and disabled in their homes.  Resurrection teamed with SEIU and collected 400 signatures while Michael collected an additional 400 from the disability community. Joint teams of SEIU and COPA leaders met with Supervisors and testified at public hearings. Finally, after a year and a half of negotiations, the Board of Supervisors agreed to maintain wages at current levels of $11.50/hr and provide additional worker protections.

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COPA’s Health Care Strategy

The federal Health Care reform law brings new opportunities and challenges for the residents of the Central Coast. The focus of the COPA Health Care Strategy Team is to research, monitor and participate in the process of implementation of the federal Affordable Care Act to ensure it works for us, our families and employers.

The current work of the Health Care Strategy Team is to inform member institutions of the health care changes, engage members in accessing new programs and create a conversation about what is work and what is not. It is expected that this research will reveal areas for action with Congressman Farr and our state legislative representatives.

It’s imperative we as COPA evaluate the Health Care Reform Act. It is our duty to our fellow Americans. While it is our hope this law enhances people’s lives, anything new will have “bugs in the software”. We want to eliminate the bugs and ensure a smooth implementation.

Most immediately, COPA leaders are informing members that:

Insurance companies can no longer discriminate against people with pre-existing conditions. For individuals with pre-existing conditions, a high-risk pool began to operate in June 2010. In California, an application can be requested by emailing your name and address to FHRP@mmib.ca.gov or mailing a letter to Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, California Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board, PO Box 2769, Sacramento, CA 95812-2769.

We are monitoring the California state budget decisions. What is proposed is disastrous for low income families. COPA is providing testimony to our legislative members in hopes of minimizing these cuts at the county and state level.

Download a 10-page overview of the major reforms and what they mean for you.

Health Care Strategy Team Leaders:

Kathy Ruiz Goldenkranz, Temple Beth El
Tom Wages, First Congregational Church
Kathy Belle Barlow, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church
Cindy Valdez, SEIU
Sandra Willey, Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center
Dan Oliveri, Resurrection Catholic Community
Randy Pozos, Resurrection Catholic Community