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Proposition B would change Missouri's home health care industry

By Matt Sepic, KWMU

St. Louis – Next week, Missouri voters will decide two proposed state constitutional amendments and three ballot issues. Among them is Proposition B, which would change the way the state's home health care industry is regulated and make it easier for workers to unionize.

The plan would create a special oversight council supporters say would lead to better pay and benefits.

But Mary Schantz, who heads the business group Missouri Alliance for Home Care, said Medicaid regulations already govern much of the industry. Her group opposes Proposition B.

"It isn't an issue of not wanting to pay workers, Schantz said. "It's a Medicaid-funded program that has oversight from the General Assembly and goes through an appropriations process that's going to be impacted by Proposition B."

Schantz also said the ballot language falsely implies patients would be forced into nursing homes if the measure fails. However Krissi Jimroglou with Missourians for Quality Homecare said that's a real possibility.

"If Prop B does not pass, and Missouri does not start to invest in a home care workforce, there will not be a real choice to stay at home because there will not be a stable, consistent workforce delivering good care," Jimroglou said.

The measure would also allow some home health workers to unionize. But Jimroglou said it would not affect employees of private agencies, only workers who are paid by Medicaid.

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