Washington, D.C.

The Chapter advocates on behalf of people living with MS in the District of Columbia by working with City Council Members on important issues and necessary legislation.

For example, in 2005, the Chapter advocated for a wage increase for Medicaid home care workers. In FY 2005, the District of Columbia paid only $8.00-8.50 per hour. Home care agencies accepting Medicaid contracts could not hire enough aides to fill caseloads. People with MS accepted into the Medicaid waiver program were not receiving necessary homecare. The Chapter worked with the D.C. Coalition on Long Term Care to support a living wage increase to $10.50 per hour. Thanks to the Coalition’s work, the FY ’06 budget included an increase in Medicaid home care worker’s hourly wage. Now the Coalition must work to make sure the Department of Health implements the approved living wage increase.