SEATTLE — Washington voters submitted signatures to qualify an initiative that would allow anyone to seek an exemption for the state’s long-term care tax.
Initiative 2124 would allow people who are employed to opt out of WA Cares, according to Let's Go Washington, which organized the effort to get I-2124 on the ballot.
Supporters of WA Cares argue the initiative would, "in effect," repeal the tax.
Deductions for WA Cares began in July.
The WA Cares Fund will eventually be used to help Washingtonians access a $36,500 benefit - adjusted annually for inflation - for long-term care insurance. Benefits will become available for qualified individuals in July 2026.
Eligible workers pay 0.58% of their paychecks to fund the program, which is the first of its kind in the U.S.
After WA Cares passed, it drew criticism over concerns that it was expensive, wasn’t transferrable to other states and only allowed for limited exemptions. Lawmakers expanded exemptions in 2022, but some say the changes don’t go far enough.
Let’s Go Washington, which organized the effort to get I-2124 on the ballot, said the initiative gives people the chance to opt out if WA Cares doesn’t fit their needs.
“The insurance scheme is so deeply flawed that it would likely face intense legal scrutiny if it was issued by a private firm,” Let’s Go Washington said in a statement. “I-2124 rectifies the poor design and gives people a choice.”
Supporters of I-2124 said they have gathered over 420,000 signatures. A total of 324,519 signatures are required to get the initiative on the ballot.
A group supporting the tax, called We Care For WA Cares, argues that if the initiative passes, working Washingtonians will no longer have access to "an affordable guaranteed benefit they can tap" into to pay for long-term care support.
“Millions of working Washingtonians are counting on the WA Cares Fund to help pay for their care in case of injury, illness, or age," said Jessica Gomez, campaign managers for the group. "By effectively repealing WA Cares, this initiative would force workers to choose between depleting their savings to qualify for Medicaid, or betting on long-term care insurance only the wealthiest can afford.”
Other action is also underway to modify WA Cares. In July, a group of Republican lawmakers announced their intention to introduce a bill that would allow anyone to opt out of WA Cares. That bill is expected to be discussed in the upcoming legislative session.
This is the sixth initiative that Let’s Go Washington has submitted. Other initiatives target police pursuits, the state capital gains tax and carbon taxes, among other topics.
In a statement, Redmond-based nonprofit Northwest Progressive Institute said it opposes I-2124 and the five other measures submitted by Let’s Go Washington.