Press Releases: 2004 Releases

United Cerebral Palsy Announces Support for the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act (9/29/04)

HR 5197 proposed by Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA) promotes fair compensation for the nation’s direct support professional

Washington, D.C., September 29, 2004—United Cerebral Palsy commends Representatives Lee Terry (R-NE) and Lois Capps (D-CA) for proposing the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act (HR 5197), and is proud to join the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) and the Arc of the United States to support their important bill.

The Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act will take dramatic strides towards ensuring direct support professionals are compensated fairly. There are more than 2 million aides, personal assistance workers, and direct support professionals who provide services to 4 million Americans with disabilities who depend on long term services and supports.

"Direct-care workers are on the front lines caring for millions of Americans with disabilities," said Dr. Ron Cohen, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties and a leading advocate for the legislation.

"While we place our trust in these workers to provide services for our loved ones, we ignore their basic needs for fair wages and benefits. That is why this bill is so important, and we must urge the entire Congress to join Representatives Terry and Capps to pass this bill and make right this injustice," added Cohen.br>

According to the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, the average wage of home care workers in 2000 was $8.23 per hour, while the average wage of personal care workers was just $7.50. Many workers can earn higher hourly wages, and even receive health care benefits, in less demanding jobs in the fast food and retail industries.

The U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) reported the average income for all nursing home direct-care staff was just $13,287; so low that the American Journal of Public Health reported that more than 1.3 million health care workers provide care that they and their families cannot expect to receive.

Currently, the long term services industry is plagued with a shortage of direct support professionals and high-turnover rates. The lack of a reliable labor pool has thrown the industry into turmoil and has placed the lives of millions of Americans who rely on long-term services and supports at risk.

The federal government currently pays 62% of all direct-care dollars spent, and the Direct Support Professional Fairness and Security Act will begin to establish a desperately needed national policy on the financing of long-term services and supports. A national financing policy is the essential foundation for additional reforms.

"Representatives Lee Terry and Lois Capps have proposed legislation that will protect the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities," said Stephen Bennett, President and CEO of United Cerebral Palsy. "And UCP will stand beside them as long as it takes to get this bill through Congress."

About United Cerebral Palsy

United Cerebral Palsy is one of the nation’s leading organizations serving and advocating for the more than 54 million Americans with disabilities. Most UCP consumers are people with disabilities other than cerebral palsy. Through its nationwide affiliate network, United Cerebral Palsy offers services to individuals, families and communities, such as job training and placement, physical therapy, individual and family support, early intervention, social and recreation programs, community living, state and local referrals, and instruction on how to use technology to perform everyday tasks. For more information, call (800) 872-5827.

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