PHI and their Sobering Report, "Invisible Care Gap: Caregivers without Health Coverage"

Today, PHI held a press conference, getting the word out about Direct Care Workers and the status of health care coverage for these workers. This is part of National Women's Health Week. Ninety percent (90%) of the direct care workforce in this country is female. The reports reveals that: Direct Care Workers have the highest rates of workplace injuries and illnesses, making it the nation's most dangerous job; Almost thirty percent (30%) of direct care workers have no health insurance, twice the rate of the general population; Jobs providing in-home personal care is the nation's fastest growing workforce and it is the least likely to provide health coverage; Wages of direct care workers are so low that nearly thirty percent (30%) live in or near poverty and few can afford the high rates of health insurance premiums. Health Care for Health Care Workers is an initiative of PHI. HCHCW seeks to expand health care coverage for direct care workers. HCHCW believes that one way of ensuring quality, long-term care services and support is by providing quality jobs in direct care. These jobs must offer health coverage and a living wage. Health Care for Health Care Workers website is www.coverageiscritical.org. The report, Invisible Care Gap: Caregivers without Health Coverage is posted at this site. It is real eye opener. PHI, the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, works to improve the lives of those who need home or residential care by improving the lives of the workers who support them. For more on PHI visit their website www.PHInational.org