top of page
Search

Advocacy in Action: The Power of the Purse - People First, Economics Follow

  • Writer: Mark Fukae
    Mark Fukae
  • Aug 2
  • 5 min read
ree

By Mark Fukae - Director of Advocacy - Professionals Who Care | Founder CASI - Caregiver Advocacy and Support Initiative


As an advocate, you quickly learn that much of the resistance to groundbreaking legislation often comes down to one thing: money. Businesses and legislators are understandably hesitant to ask people for more, especially right now with all the talks about the current Colorado state budget crisis, which is directly impacted by federal funding contraction, plus concerns about Medicaid, and SNAP reductions, not to mention vital education funding. I’ve seen firsthand how conversations about helping people quickly shift to questions about the budget. This is why a strong, clear fiscal note isn't just paperwork; it’s the foundation of successful advocacy. It’s about showing that investing in people isn't a cost, it's a powerful return.


My work on the Colorado CARE Act has always been about this truth. I knew that for this bill to succeed, it couldn't just be about compassion. It had to make economic sense. This led us to the intense process of developing a solid fiscal note, which is now central to how we talk with lawmakers and partners here in Colorado. Crucially, the economic principles and data from this fiscal note also directly inform and support the arguments for the Federal CARE Act, a connection I will delve into more deeply in my next article.


Reframing the Fiscal Note: People First, Economics Follow


The fiscal note shows that investing in caregiver accommodations brings real economic returns. But the deeper truth is this: those returns are driven by human dignity. When people are free to care for loved ones without risking their livelihood, they stay in the workforce, contribute more steadily, and ease the burden on public systems.


We're not chasing dollars. We're removing barriers. The savings come because people are finally supported to live and work with dignity.


The Colorado CARE Act (SB 25-001) is designed to do more than just support families. It’s built to make our state’s economy stronger. It aims to stop caregivers from having to leave their jobs by requiring reasonable accommodations. This helps Colorado keep skilled workers, reduces reliance on public benefits, and creates long-term economic gains for families and businesses.

Even with conservative estimates, the Act projects a significant positive financial impact over five years:

  • Gross Savings: A projected $137 million from less Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims, lower Medicaid costs, and more state income tax revenue (See Appendix A).

  • Program Costs: An estimated $6 million, which includes startup money and ongoing operational costs for the first five years (See Appendix A).

  • Net Benefit: A conservative, risk-adjusted $131 million in net benefit (See Appendix A).

  • Return on Investment (ROI): A powerful 22:1 meaning we save $22 for every $1 we invest (See Appendix A).


These numbers aren't just ideas. They come from careful analysis and working together with many people.


Freedom as the Economic Engine


The CARE Act isn’t just about making workplaces flexible. It’s about freeing caregivers from impossible choices between their paycheck and their family. That freedom powers economic participation, keeps people in their jobs, and encourages new ideas.

Freedom to care is freedom to contribute. When caregivers aren’t forced out of jobs, our economy wins. Not because we spent less, but because we invested in people.


Our fiscal note shows exactly how these savings are created:

  • Unemployment Insurance Savings: By providing accommodations, the Act prevents caregivers from having to quit their jobs too soon. We estimate 2,000-3,000 UI claims could be avoided each year, leading to $50 million in UI savings over five years (See Appendix B). This is based on an average UI benefit of $10,000 per claim and keeping 25% of caregivers who might otherwise leave.

  • Medicaid Savings from Delayed Institutionalization: When caregivers can keep caring for loved ones at home with workplace support, it delays the need for Medicaid-funded nursing home care. We project 250-450 admissions delayed each year, resulting in $73 million in Medicaid savings over five years (See Appendix B). The state pays about half of Medicaid nursing home costs, with the average annual cost of nursing home care at $84,000.

  • Increased State Tax Revenue: Caregivers who stay in the workforce continue paying state income taxes. With an average retained caregiver wage of $40,000-$46,000 per year, this is projected to bring in $14 million in state tax revenue over five years (See Appendix B).


Budget Neutrality: A Moral and Strategic Choice


I understand the need to be financially responsible. That’s why the Colorado CARE Act includes built-in safeguards (See Appendix A):

  • Budget Neutrality Trigger: If savings fall below costs for two years in a row, certain required provisions will automatically end.

  • Emergency Suspension Clause: Provisions can be temporarily stopped if federal money comes in much lower than expected.

  • Independent Fiscal Review: An outside group will check the cost savings every three years.


We designed this bill to be budget-neutral not because money is everything, but to prove that doing the right thing doesn’t have to cost more. It just means setting smarter priorities.


Human-Centered Policy Drives Systemic Efficiency


The fiscal note highlights less Medicaid use, fewer unemployment claims, and lower turnover costs. But these are signs of a bigger shift: when policies focus on people, systems become more efficient because they finally match how people actually live.


Efficiency isn’t about cutting corners. It’s about designing systems that truly reflect how people live. The CARE Act does that.


Developing this fiscal note is an ongoing effort, a true collaboration. We continue to work closely with the Colorado General Assembly and various partners, taking their feedback and making our projections better. We are committed to being open and clear, using careful estimates based on public and reviewed data. Our focus remains on clear, measurable savings by keeping caregivers in their jobs, making public programs work better, and keeping our tax base strong.


The Real ROI Is Human Potential


Every dollar saved stands for something bigger: a caregiver who didn’t have to quit, a child who received better care, a business that kept valuable talent. The fiscal note puts numbers to the impact, but the real return is in lives changed.


This isn’t just a fiscal note. It’s a freedom note. It tells us what happens when we stop treating caregiving as a burden and start treating it as a strength.


This careful approach ensures that the Colorado CARE Act is not just a compassionate policy, but a smart, impactful economic investment for our state. It's how we turn perceived costs into clear benefits, proving that supporting caregivers is a win for everyone.


Your Voice Matters. Take Action! The widespread discrimination faced by caregivers, especially those in disadvantaged groups, creates a huge challenge for building truly inclusive and productive workplaces. Your involvement is essential to bridging this understanding gap and advocating for policies that support our diverse workforce. Every share, every comment, every moment of engagement helps us build a future where workplaces genuinely work for everyone.


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page