Better Care Better Jobs Act Introduced, Seeks to Expand Access to Medicaid HCBS

2/1/2023

Late last week, the Better Care Better Jobs Act was reintroduced by Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) and Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI). This legislation would expand access to home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, increase direct care workers’ wages and benefits, enhance quality of life for families, and help create middle-class jobs.

The bill’s impetus centers on ensuring all Americans have the option to receive quality, long-term care in the setting that meets their needs and preferences. Medicaid funding would be increased if states met certain criteria such as building a workforce program, supporting quality, accountability, protecting spouses from impoverishment, and establishing a sound Money Follows the Person program.

Home Care Association of America CEO Vicki Hoak spoke with McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse last week, on the day the bill was introduced.

“I have to believe this particular bill does have traction,” she said. “We got so much attention the last time it was introduced and I’m hoping with a fresh look and more people advocating on behalf of this, it has a real possibility of passing.”

HCAOA’s Policy Committee will be reviewing the new bill language and will provide additional information to members in the coming weeks.

2 Comments

John Mykala link

2/2/2023 01:22:32 pm

Better Care Better Jobs Act not in the best interest of Seniors

Our Private Duty Home Care - Non Medical rates 15 years ago were $17 & $18 per hour. Today are rates are $28 and $30 per hour as a result of increases with Minimum Wages and Wages,

Our profits have not changed.

!5 years ago we had private pay client prospects tell us they could not afford $17 or $18 per hour and continue tell us they cannot afford our services.

Increasing the Government's Direct Caregiver Wages and Benefits will increase the government's cost of Care for Seniors and Persons with disabilities and indirectly and directly increase the cost of Private Duty Home Care as well as facility care.

The majority of Baby Boomers do not have sufficient funds for their care.

Medicaid Waiver has been and is underfunded to satisfy the needs of eligible seniors and persons with disabilities.

Government Agencies and Private Duty Home Care are competing to recruit Caregivers to provide the same services. Currently, for us it very difficult to complete for Caregivers as we cannot pay the wages Government and Not For Profit Agencies are paying to keep our Private Pay cost of care affordable. Higher wages and benefits of Government Direct Caregivers will have a profound effect on the cost to seniors and persons with disabilities for Private Pay Care.

Most concerning of the higher cost of care is the Safety, Wellbeing and Health of our Seniors that will not be able to afford Private Pay Care and inadequate Medicaid Waiver Funding to provide service to eligible seniors

Of additional concern, Michigan has a Direct Care Worker Coalition Group, IMPART Alliance supported by PHI International, MSU and National Domestic Workers Alliance as well as other nonprofit and government agencies advocating for higher wages, health care, PTO and benefits for DCWs. To me, it also appears to be a way to organize?

It is my opinion, lawmakers have been convinced by organizers the solution to provide affordable quality care to 78.8 million Baby Boomers is with Direct Care Workers, of which at times are family and or friends.

The Better Care Better Jobs Act could be a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Thank you for the opportunity to submit a comment with my concerns.

John F Mykala
Owner/Administrator
Right At Home of Southcentral Michigan & Kalamazoo
In Home Care & Assistance

HCAOA link

2/6/2023 01:35:02 pm

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, John. HCAOA’s Policy Committee will take these concerns into consideration as it reviews the legislation.

Better Care Better Jobs Act Introduced, Seeks to Expand Access to Medicaid HCBS

Leave a Reply.

Archives

Categories

Upcoming Events