http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/7261826p-7173658c.html
Published: December 5, 2005
The state is tightening rules for a program that provides personal care in the home for thousands of Alaskans who are elderly or have disabilities.
Changes adopted last week require caregivers to have prior approval from the state before delivering services. A doctor must certify the care is needed. Clients must undergo regular assessments by a state contractor to create a plan of care. Some services may be limited.
Regulators say they hope to save money and improve accountability in the state-funded program, which has gotten attention for soaring costs.
and more from Aotearoa/New Zealand here
This is a problem in the rural USA, too.
Rural Women New Zealand presented a petition signed by 18,000 people to Labour MP Steve Chadwick at Parliament yesterday.
It urges the Government to reimburse travel expenses and time for workers who have to drive more than 15 kilometres to look after elderly and disabled clients.
Some protesters dressed in 1920s garb and arrived in a vintage Studebaker car to illustrate how little had changed since 1928, when the Women’s Division of Federated Farmers first sent a delegation to Parliament to pursue the same cause.
Rural Women president Sherrill Dackers said rural home healthcare workers were leaving the sector in droves because they had to meet travel costs.
“Because workers are not paid as they drive between clients, rural caregivers may work up to 70 hours a week to receive 40 hours’ pay.”
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