On Tuesday, the Washington State Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a case that could decide whether live-in caregivers who take care of elderly and disabled people in adult family homes should be paid our state’s minimum wage.

Counsel for the defense, Albert Hensel Kirby, began his opening remarks defending his client’s right to pay workers poverty wages by saying, “I’m here today because healthcare is complicated.”

Well, sure, but this case is not—at least on first glance.

In court filings, six plaintiffs who worked for Assurecare Adult Home LLC testified that they often worked up to 24-hour shifts with no overtime pay or sick leave, taking care of vulnerable patients who often need to be physically lifted up and assisted, were forced to sleep in hallways and on floors and frequent

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