At press time, S. 4120 is endorsed by 50 organizations, including Domestic Workers Alliance, SEIU, AFSCME, Caring Across Generations, National Coalition on Aging (NCOA), Justice in Aging, National Partnership for Women & Families, National Council on Independent Living (NCIL), and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).
And a companion legislative proposal was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI).
Senate Aging Committee puts spotlight on Direct Care Staffing Shortage
The April 16th hearing entitled, "The Long-Term Care Workforce: Addressing Shortages and Improving the Profession", examined the challenges currently facing long-term care workers who are often underpaid and overworked, leading to widespread worker shortages that threaten the availability of care for those who need it.
"It's a crisis that stems largely from a lack of support for and investment in our caregiving workforce," warns Casey in his opening statement. "Between 50 to over 90 percent of long-term-care settings and providers report significant staffing shortages, affecting their ability to provide services, accept new clients, or even to remain open," he says.
Casey noted that many direct care professionals have to work multiple jobs or overtime just to be able to support themselves and their families. In 2022, their medium wage was just above $15 dollars an hour, well below what is paid for warehouse and convenience store jobs, per Casey.
"The direct care workforce, the majority of whom are women of color, are more likely to live in poverty compared to the general public," notes Casey.
"Cumbersome federal regulations, requirements, and protections" and a "one-size-fits-all approach" won't fix the direct care staffing shortage, responds Ranking Member Mike Braun (R-IN).
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