First Responders, Caregivers, Advocates for Patients, Seniors and People with Disabilities Rally to Approve WA Ballot Measure 8201
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Contact: Kristin Hyde, 206-491-0773
Seattle, WA – Outside Seattle Fire Station 13, fire fighters, nurses, home care aides and other supporters are launching their statewide voter contact campaign to Approve Amendment 8201, the only statewide measure on voters’ ballots this fall. Amendment 8201 will grow by billions of dollars Washington’s long-term care fund for seniors and people with disabilities, helping to keep premiums low and without costing taxpayers a penny. Amendment 8201 also increases accountability by prohibiting the State from spending Long-Term Care Trust Funds on any other purpose or program.
The amendment was passed with supermajority bipartisan support by the Washington state legislature during the 2025 session, by a vote of 86-9 (state House) and 42-7 (state Senate) in favor which sent it on to the ballot for voter approval. Independent fiscal experts and analysis project Amendment 8201 will significantly grow the state’s long-term care fund by nearly $200 billion over the next 50 years.
Amendment 8201 is supported by more than 100 elected leaders and organizations representing fire fighters, nurses, teachers, and advocates for working families, seniors and disabled people.
Greg Markley, Division Chief for the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Secretary-Treasurer of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and a member of the Washington State Investment Board, explained: “Fire fighters respond to many 911 calls for preventable falls, missed medications, and infections because seniors and people with disabilities don’t have needed support at home. Growing our state long-term care benefit with Amendment 8201 will keep our most vulnerable Washingtonians safer by paying for home care and other services and supports. Fire fighters also know how important smart diversified investment strategy is for funding our pensions and retirement funds. Washington State has one of the best track records in the country of successful investments to grow public benefit funds. Amendment 8201 will boost return rates significantly over current rates. That added growth will help keep premiums low and ensure the benefit is sustainable for generations to come.”
Justin Gill, a Nurse Practitioner and President of the Washington State Nurses Association, shared: “As a nurse practitioner, I see older adults and people with disabilities cycle in and out of the ER for preventable reasons. Washington’s long-term care benefit will soon provide a lifeline to help folks who can’t access or afford the services they need to stay home and out of the hospital.
Nurses, like the vast majority of Americans, don’t have enormous wealth or nest eggs we can tap to cover the expenses of care. WA Cares is not only going to help our patients, it’s going to be a gamechanger for us and our families when the need for help with daily living activities arises.
Amendment 8201 strengthens the Long-term Care Trust Fund without raising taxes, using proven investment strategies that protect pension and disability funds to grow the state’s long-term care benefits for 4 million Washingtonians. That added growth of billions of dollars will help keep premiums we pay low, and even opens potential to increase the benefit itself, all without costing taxpayers a penny.
The public consistently ranks nurses as the most trusted profession because we put our patients first. Now we’re asking the voters of Washington to trust us by voting to approve Amendment 8201 to strengthen and protect our long-term care benefits.”
Seth Greiner, the Washington state-based Senior Manager of Advocacy for the National MS Society, shared: “Long-term care is crucial for individuals living with serious chronic diseases like Multiple Sclerosis. MS and other chronic diseases can lead to progressive disability, resulting in people requiring assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing,
and eating, as well as necessitating specialized medical care. Long-term care provides professional and family assistance with these tasks, maintaining a person’s quality of life and dignity.
Without a plan for long-term care, the financial and emotional burden on families can be immense. Amendment 8201 will secure and protect long-term care financial resources for Washingtonians, regardless of pre-existing conditions, and this is why the MS Society supports Measure 8201 to strengthen the program for the long-term.”
Melissah Watts, a Seattle area caregiver, shared: “The need for care can and does happen to people of all ages. I care for my adult son who is totally disabled. My 90 year-old mom will likely need care someday. If I get laid up because of a severe illness or injury, I don’t want to burden my daughter who is in the middle of her career. Thankfully, help is on the way with our new long term care benefit.
Growing our state long-term care fund is even more important now with draconian Medicaid cuts approved by Congress. Many Washingtonians will lose their health insurance. Nursing home residents could be forced to come up with funds to pay for their care or face involuntary discharge.
By approving Amendment8201, millions of Washingtonians will have a safety net to turn to when we, or a loved one, needs help with daily living activities because of a serious injury, disease, disability or the normal challenges that can come along as we age. Funds to pay for a home care aide, home modifications, medical and mobility equipment, help with meals, transportation and medication will be a game changer for people like me and my children.
That’s why I’m going to vote to approve Amendment8201, which will build up this critical fund at no cost to us, so it’s there not just for me, but for future generations.”
For more information: Kristin Hyde, kristin@powerhouse-strategic.com 206-491-0773 or visit https://www.approve8201.org/
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