Debate over Proposition B's potential industry unionization misses the main goal of the legislation

Intro: Proposition B's lead author says the union it could create is not the focus because the bill is directed at those who need the care.

Joshua Skurnik (SCUR-nic) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Missourians for Quality Health Care Executive Director Alphonso Mayfield heads the group driving the home care initiative.

The initiative is under controversy as it could unionize the non-medical home care industry.

Mayfield says the discussion misses the point of the initiative.

Actuality: AMAYFIE4.WAV

Run Time: 00:15

Description: This will establish a council that will give consumers a voice, and allow them to be able to talk about this great program, and you know, what's great about it, and things that need to be improved, and will be able to give more power to the consumers. If the attendants choose to form a union, then, I mean, that's their choice

Mayfield insists the aging population in Missouri will need a council to ensure continued quality care.

Reporting from the state capital, I'm Joshua Skurnik.

Intro: A key Proposition B supporter does not know how the proposed union would enforce its demands.

Joshua Skurnik (SCUR-nic) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:41
OutCue: SOC

Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independent Living Executive Director Richard Blakely was a point person in the drafting of Proposition B.

He says the main purpose of the bill is to unionize the non-medical home care attendant industry.

According to the ballot measure, the union could not strike if collecting bargaining fails.

Actuality: RBLAKE06.WAV

Run Time: 00:09

Description: How will they resolve the issue, frankly I don't know, I do not know, but I do know that it is going to create a mechanism to talk to somebody.

Blakely went on to say the high number of workers the union would represent as well as help from national unions will force the state government to take them seriously.

Reporting from the state capital, I'm Joshua Skurnik.

Intro: Controversy over the true goal of Proposition B makes voters skeptical.

Joshua Skurnik (SCUR-nic) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:39
OutCue: SOC

If passed by Missouri voters, the Home Care Initiative would create a council to benefit users of non-medical personal attendants.

Many question the stipulation in the bill allowing industry professionals to vote to unionize the workforce.

Missouri Alliance for Health Care Executive Director Mary Schantz says there is too much uncertainty to know if the initiative should pass.

Actuality: MSCHANT2.WAV

Run Time: 00:09

Description: It's just not clear enough for me to say, absolutely this is good, or absolutely this is bad, because we really don't know, its just very vague.

Schantz said in its current version the ballot measure should be voted down.

Reporting from the state capital, I'm Joshua Skurnik

Intro: One of Proposition B's key authors says the quality of the home care industry that the measure aims to regulate is good.

Joshua Skurnik (SCUR-nic) has more from Jefferson City.

RunTime:0:42
OutCue: SOC

Disabled Citizens Alliance for Independent Living Head Richard Blakely says the quality of services given by non-medical home care attendants in the state is fine.

Actuality: RBLAKE02.WAV

Run Time: 00:10

Description: No the quality 's good, we make sure we go out once every quarter and see people with disabilities and make sure that there is no abuses being done.

Blakely says Missouri voters should approve the Home Care initiative because more baby boomers will need more in-house personal attendants.

He went on to say the initiative would create a council to better organize the industry and maintain high quality services.

If passed the initiative will cost over a half a million dollars each year.

Reporting from the state capital, I'm Joshua Skurnik.