An article in the
The article goes on to add that “Although Congress mandated free coronavirus testing for uninsured persons, the order has not extended health coverage to those requiring treatment. Likewise, the congressional mandate expanding sick leave benefits exempted entities with more than 499 employees, excluding 74% of hospital personnel and more than one third of nursing home and home care workers.”
A short-term solution has been presented in recent bills offering hazard pay to essential workers and universal, no-cost health coverage for the duration of the epidemic. But in the long term, the best solution, not only for these workers, but for all Americans, will be universal single-payer health care.
The health care workers in La Plata County, like health personnel worldwide, are assuming substantial risks to serve their communities. Depriving them of adequate income, sick leave and insurance dishonors that service and threatens the wellbeing of both health workers and the public.
Joan MacEachenDurango
