Employee Background Checks for Home Health Aides Causing Debate
Home healthcare workers in California could soon have to undergo employee background checks.
The background check effort came about after Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger claimed that California's In-Home Supportive Services program is too vulnerable to potential fraud. That $5.5 billion program, which is funded by the government, is meant to provide a cost-effective alternative to nursing homes and other out-of-home care.
Under the effort, all new applicants for home health aide jobs would have to undergo background checks beginning this week. In addition, the 376,000 home health aides who already have jobs in the state would have to undergo new background checks by June, according to an article by the Los Angeles Times.
A debate has been brewing about the new background check rules, as some advocates for the elderly and disabled claim the administration's rush to begin the checks is actually an effort to dissuade new patients from participating in the state's home healthcare program.
For one, the program provides a lot of growth for labor unions, which have traditionally been opposed by Republican officials such as Schwarzenegger. On top of that, the governor previously fought to cut aid to 90 percent of the program's participants, but lost that effort.
Some counties - many who claim they have not yet received new enrollment forms - also are concerned with the rules surrounding the background check effort. One such rule requires prospective home healthcare aides to take an orientation session, which will require counties to hire new staff.
Lastly, because counties throughout the state receive more than 4,000 new applications for home healthcare jobs each month, many people are worried that the inability to approve new providers will cause a hardship for those who use the program.
March 21st, 2010 - 18:21
IMHO(in my humble opinion) we workers through I.H.S.S, have been told from day 1 we do not work for the state-our employer is our client. I have worked 8 years for my 91 year old disabled,blind veteran who has no wish if changing workers. I have excellent references from primary care doctors and nurses association.This has been 24/7 with pay for 4-6 hours.If I now took what is his share of cost he would be left with $600. Therefore,on my pay I do repairs and feed us.And now this new unconstitutional requirement elimates the most important force in allowing our elderly to stay out of abusive nursing homes.Will I stay?YESWill I demand my constitutional rights?YOU BET.These are violations under the 14th amendment guaranteeing us equal protection and redress for wrongs.Time to unite and hold others accountable for their actions against California,the citizens and our elderly!This is not about the state protecting our seniors. I know I’ll lose a few dollars but what value do we put on the ethics and princiiples of these issues?It is the workers that are paid little that always must pay for the politicians mistakes and greed and unbridled over-spending. Enough is enough. To be denied work because of a past regress is against Federal Law.The state is focusing on lesser criminals than they are. Unite in class action!