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On December 15, 2011, President Obama and Kathleen Sebelius made a step forward for homecare, home health, and in-home health workers by pushing through a new rule that guarantees them the minimum wage and overtime pay.

Previously, homecare workers were lumped into the same category with teenage baby sitters.  Employers could pay below the minimum wage with no overtime pay.  These patient, generous, hard-working people deserve more than minimum wage, but guaranteeing the minimum wage and overtime is a start.

I have attached two videos on the topic.  The first is an interview with a homecare worker.  The second is President Obama making the announcement on December 15, 2011.

Let’s keep pushing to give caregivers the compensation they deserve.  We need them now and will need them even more as increasing numbers of Baby Boomers require home health care.

“Home Health Worker” is listed as one of the growth jobs for the future. Right now, home health workers are paid poorly.  Let’s keep working to make this job a position good people really want.

President Obama on Ensuring Fair Pay for In-Home Care Workers