Advocacy – Historic Investment Needed in the Care Economy Workforce

Advocacy – Historic Investment Needed in the Care Economy Workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the strain on America’s long-term care workers. LeadingAge members report astounding scenarios in which they are unable to hire enough front line workers to deliver older adults and families the care they need.

Ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the legislative proposals that will make historic investments and provide much-needed funding to help care professionals receive a living wage and benefits. They also address the home and community-based services (HCBS) and long-term care staffing shortages, and implement strategies to recruit and retain these jobs.

Congress must ensure each of the proposals below are included in the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation package they are negotiating now. Unless they act to strengthen the infrastructure of care and services, the needs of older adults could overwhelm our country’s capacity to provide quality care.

Congress must prioritize and pass:

  • Better Care Better Jobs Act, to designate more than $100 million to states to develop “HCBS infrastructure improvement plans.”
  • Elder Justice Act (EJA) Reauthorization and Modernization Act, to support adult protective services and reauthorizes programs addressing elder abuse, neglect, exploitation, and social isolation.
  • Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act of 2021, to improve nursing home care by strengthening wages and benefits for long-term care workers.
  • Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act and the Direct Creation, Advancement and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act, to invest more than $1 billion in workforce interventions funds.

Please send a message to your U.S. Representative and Senators today!

 

Questions?

Contact:

David Carter | Director, Health Care Finance & Policy

c: 360.888.5702

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September 8, 2021