Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin Condemns Senate President Craig Blair for Failing to Address I/DD Direct Care Worker Pay

CHARLESTON W.Va. (Hinton News) – West Virginia Democratic Party Chair, Mike Pushkin, condemned Senate President Craig Blair for adjourning the Senate without taking up a House provision to increase the reimbursement rates for direct care services under the intellectual and developmental disability waiver program administered by the Department of Human Services.

"The primary reason Governor Justice called this special session was to address this issue,” said Pushkin. "Senator Tarr's bill doesn't guarantee any of these funds will go to the IDD waiver program. Senator Tarr is heartless and those who follow him are gutless. To adjourn without addressing reimbursement rates is inexcusable and does nothing to alieviate the crisis. Families and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities will suffer needlessly because of their refusal to do the right thing.”

Pushkin emphasized the dire consequences of failing to guarantee increases in provider rates, highlighting the immediate and long-term harm to families and individuals who rely on these critical services. "Senate President Blair, who was defeated in the Republican primary on May 14th, had one last chance to do something that would leave a positive legacy for his tenure as Senate President and he got it wrong," Pushkin added. “Instead, Senator Blair will forever be remembered for knowing the cost of everything and the value of nothing.”

The special session was called by Governor Justice specifically to address the significant funding shortfall impacting provider rates for some of the state's most vulnerable residents. Despite the urgency and importance of the issue, the Senate adjourned without addressing the critical shortage in direct care workers caused by low pay.

For more information: Mike Pushkin 304-989-6856

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