Greetings, Members of the Committee on Health,
Thank you for allowing me to speak today. My name is Julie Lujan. I am the owner of 2 childcare facilities in ward 1, Julie Lujan’s Child Development Home and Lanier Lullabies Child Development Center. I am also a mother of 4 who lives in Adams Morgan. Since 2007, I have provided care for over 260 children and jobs for 51 employees, some of whom I have employed for over 10 years. I am writing today to encourage you to continue to fully fund HealthCare4ChildCare and the Pay Equity Fund. I have experienced the power of this program on the well-being of the teachers, their families, my early learning programs and me personally. Prior to Healthcare for Childcare I was not able to offer health insurance to my staff and was paying 100% for my own family’s healthcare myself.
I have always been a small business owner and been faced with the crippling expense of finding individual health insurance. I paid around $2700 month for health insurance for my family for decades. Like many people, my family is faced with multiple health issues that could easily bankrupt us with a single unexpected medical bill. In 2022 my daughter was critically ill needing extensive medical treatment I could not afford. My husband and I waited anxiously for our new cards and benefits descriptions as soon as it turned 12:01 January 1, 2023. We had done our research on her treatment options and were ready to get her the help she needed. She was finally able to receive her lifesaving treatment in February 2023 thanks for Healthcare4childcare. She is doing great and attending Montgomery College and has a bright future ahead. If I had to delay the care longer because the Council did not adequately fund the pay equity fund , which is where the HC4CC receives its money from, my story may be very different. We all know that the health insurance system in the US is broken. But Healthcare4childcare was a step towards fixing the broken system and thinking outside of the box.
When I heard the first whisper of the chance childcare providers would be offered health insurance, I thought for sure it was too good to be true. Could there really be a program that offers free health insurance premiums to residents working in licensed child development
centers and homes? The significance of this cannot be overstated. I am incredibly grateful to Councilmember Henderson for ensuring that creation of the Pay Equity Fund in 2021 included the establishment of HealthCare4ChildCare (HC4CC) to provide affordable health insurance to early educators and staff. The program’s creation guaranteed that educators could enroll in coverage through DC’s Health Benefit Exchange, however, that promise is at risk with the recent implementation of a HC4CC waiting list due to insufficient program funding. The Council must ensure health care coverage remains available to all early learning programs and their employees who take part in the Pay Equity Fund program.
Imagine being a dedicated early childhood professional, passionate about nurturing and educating young minds but constantly burdened by the fear of unaffordable healthcare. Before HealthCare4ChildCare, most of us in the early care and education workforce faced this very struggle. But with the introduction of HealthCare4ChildCare, a lifeline was extended to these hardworking individuals. The program has made health insurance affordable and accessible, alleviating the financial burden that once hindered their ability to seek necessary medical care. This newfound security and peace of mind has profoundly impacted the overall well-being of the early care and education workforce. I have seen and felt it in my facilities.
When healthcare becomes affordable, a ripple effect of positive outcomes is set into motion. The early care and education workforce can now focus on their vital work, knowing that their own health and that of their loved ones is safeguarded. This leads to increased job satisfaction, reduced stress levels, and improved mental and physical health. As a result, the quality of care provided to our community’s children is enhanced, setting them up for a better future. HealthCare4ChildCare also embraces an inclusive approach by offering free or lower health insurance premiums to non-District residents working in licensed child development centers and homes, taking care of and educating the children of the District. This recognition of the value and worth of all childcare professionals, regardless of their place of residence, promotes equity and fairness within the early care and education workforce.
Furthermore, HealthCare4ChildCare has allowed me to offer affordable group health insurance options through DC Health Link’s Small Business Market. 100% of my staff is covered by quality health insurance and is no longer burdened with the costs and uncertainty of living without affordable healthcare, This has benefited my employees and strengthened the capacity of my facilities to attract and retain skilled and dedicated staff while enhancing children’s experiences by utilizing their funds for additional needs they were not able to afford. By providing affordable health insurance options, this program empowered me as an employer, prioritizing the well-being of their workforce, leading to higher job satisfaction and better retention rates. The impact of HealthCare4ChildCare on the early care and education workforce is immeasurable. This program is not just about providing access to affordable healthcare; it is about recognizing the value of those who dedicate their lives to the care and education of our children. However, sufficient funding is imperative for HealthCare4ChildCare to continue its vital work. I hope the District of Columbia Council Members can recognize the importance of this program, recognize the increased number of early care and education professionals who will continue to participate and benefit from the program after its initial year, and allocate the necessary resources to sustain it. By doing so, you will demonstrate your support for the early care and education workforce and make a lasting investment in the future of our community.
In conclusion, I urge you to consider the profound impact of HealthCare4ChildCare on the early care and education workforce. By providing affordable health insurance, this program supports the physical and mental well-being of our dedicated professionals and strengthens the quality of care provided to our children. Together, let us ensure that affordable healthcare is not just a dream but a reality for those who shape the future of our community.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and your unwavering dedication to the well-being of the young children and those who serve them daily.