Health care groups, Missouri chamber oppose Proposition B

Proposition B on the Nov. 4 Missouri ballot may be titled the Quality Home Care Act, but it's drawing a lot of opposition from health care groups and business owners because of its potential to unionize home-care workers.

That was the message Monday afternoon during a presentation to the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce's Governmental Relations Committee.

The official ballot language summary of the proposition says it will allow Missouri seniors and disabled residents to "continue living independently in their homes by creating the Missouri Quality Homecare Council, to ensure the availability of quality home care services under the Medicaid program by recruiting, training and stabilizing the home care workforce."

But Gwen Beebe, executive director for Springfield-based Integrity Home Care, told the committee that the bill would create an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. She noted that vendors who provide training for home care workers already answer to the state Department of Health and Senior Services.

She also said the bill would make all personal care attendants in the state part of one group, and only 10 percent of that group would need to vote in favor of joining a union to collectively bargain with the council.

"Is (the current system) perfect? No way," Beebe said. "But we have programs in place that are working well. The only group that benefits from this is the unions, lining their pockets, and we can't afford to do that in this industry."

The issue also could create a domino effect rippling into other parts of the health care industry and the business community in general, according to Trey Davis, vice president of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

"Where does the slippery slope stop? If they're able to unionize for personal care attendants, why not for other sectors of workers?" Davis said. "Then, what about other parts of the business community around the state? It just opens up a Pandora's box."

Proponents of the proposition, however, say the bill would benefit the state's home-care workers.

"Currently, the state's 8,000 home-care attendants earn low wages, (receive) no sick time and no benefits, and are classified as 'self-employed' contractors," says a news release from the Service Employees International Union. "As a result, many consumers have lost home services because of funding cuts and high turnover."

See SBJ's Oct. 27 issue for more about Proposition B.[[In-content Ad]]