Legislative action is urgently needed. Please read below from the recent message from the Iowa DD Council.
The US Department of Labor wants to get rid of rules that protect the wages paid to in-home caregivers, including the people who support Iowans with disabilities.
What is the change? The proposed rule would take away protections that guarantee in-home caregivers are paid minimum wage and overtime.
What is the impact? Rules would go back to what was in place in the 1970s. In-home caregivers (including direct support professionals and personal care attendants) would be treated the same as babysitters and companions. That means they would not be guaranteed minimum wage and overtime pay. This would make it even harder to find caregivers and worsen the direct caregiver shortage. You can read more about this change in Disability Scoop.
What can you do? The US Department of Labor is taking public comments on this proposed change now through Tuesday, September 2 at 10:59 pm (Iowa time). You can use our action center below to submit your comments. We have started the comment out for you, but ask that you use your own words to tell the Department of Labor why this is a bad idea and let them know why caregivers are important to you.
Don’t Wait – go HERE to act NOW!
