Seven of every ten Washingtonians older than sixty-five will need long-term care in their lifetime.

That statistic led Washington to be the first state in the nation to set in motion a way to make long-term health care affordable. Governor Inslee signed the LTSS Trust Act (which created the Washington Cares Fund) into law in 2019.

The Fund is an employee-paid insurance benefit to help cover the cost of long-term care during work years and after retirement. Here’s how it works: Starting in July, employers will withhold 58 cents from every 100 dollars earned and turn it over to the Employment Security Department. The collected money offers a moderate level of coverage which eligible employees can begin drawing out in 2026. There are some exemptions, but if employers don’t withhold the 58 cents, they will be required to pay it themselves. If employees have an exemption, it is their responsibility to inform their employers.

Consider this: King County has declared racism a public health issue in part, because of disparities in health care among Black and Indigenous people. These disparities are centuries old and contribute to poor health outcomes and shortened lifespans. According to 2021 data from the Brookings Institute, Black men die 4 years earlier than White men, at about 74 years old. Of course, stress, poverty, environment, and other circumstances can alter individual cases. While the state’s long-term care requirement is an added deduction from the paycheck, it will also provide some relief for older Black and Indigenous populations which many times do not have the resources for this sort of care later in life.