A recent article published in HealthAffairs emphasized how the COVID-19 pandemic strained the already fragile direct care workforce, which led to closures of vital home and community-based services (HCBS) providers and placed additional burdens on family caregivers. The federal government deployed short-term funding and flexibility through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to stabilize the workforce, resulting in improved wages and workforce initiatives. However, these gains are now in jeopardy as the enhanced federal funds are depleted. To address this, policymakers must act swiftly to preserve recent progress and enhance workforce stabilization efforts. Insights from interviews and focus groups across states underscore the need for higher wages, improved training and support systems, and meaningful worker engagement in program development.
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National Home Care Advocacy Day is next week, and plans are being finalized to make each HCAOA member’s visit memorable. Meetings with legislators are scheduled, and plans are set for the Welcome Reception on April 16 at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, HCAOA’s federal lobby firm. On April 17, a Breakfast Brief will be held in the Rayburn House Office Building Room 2325, followed by meetings with your members of Congress.
Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed several workplace protection bills, including the Employee Free Choice Act (SB 5778), making Washington the sixth state to bar employers from disciplining or terminating employees who decline to attend "captive audience" meetings, often used to undermine union activities. Another notable bill (HB 1905) expands pay equity investigations by allowing the Department of Labor & Industries to probe discrimination claims based on age, race, disability, and other protected classes, previously limited to gender-based claims. Inslee also approved SB 5793, which enhances the state's paid sick leave law, broadening its scope to include caring for non-traditional family members such as roommates and close relationships and enabling paid sick leave if a child’s school or daycare is closed due to emergency declarations made by local, state, or federal government.
Is your agency looking to add dental and vision benefits for your employees? Dominion National offers dental and vision packages employers can add to their employee benefits. The dental program includes a teledentistry app that provides virtual dental consultations. If your agency wants to expand employee benefits, visit HCAOA’s Member Benefit Guide to learn more.
The special discounted rate at the Capital Hilton Hotel is good through Friday, March 29. Prices will increase, so secure your hotel reservation today to ensure you receive the best rate.
Are you on the fence about submitting a breakout session proposal for the 2024 HCAOA National Home Care Conference? Don’t give it another thought; submit your proposal today! HCAOA wants to hear from you, and so do your colleagues.
The Connecticut General Assembly approved a new three-year agreement reached between the Connecticut Personal Care Assistant (PCA) Workforce Council and SEIU District 1199 New England.
John Sneath, founder and CEO of HCAOA member Tribute Home Care, was recently featured on the Home Health Care News Disrupt podcast. Sneath shared insights about why Tribute is doubling down on private-pay personal care and how the agency approaches caregiver recruitment and hiring.
California Chapter Leadership is requesting members to send letters of support for AB 2185. Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson is sponsoring AB 2185, which would prohibit Domestic Referral Agencies (DRAs) from compensating home care workers and independent contractors, which has become more and more of an issue in California, especially in recent years as the demand for services grows. AB 2185 would allow Domestic Referral Agencies to continue to provide referral services but not allow them to function as unlicensed home care organizations by compensating domestic workers who provide care to seniors on an ongoing basis without being a licensed home care organization and the licensing requirements that are required of home care organizations and protections for home care aides and seniors.
Last week, HCAOA members joined forces with the South Carolina Home Care and Hospice Association and Hearts for Home Care to advocate for home care and hospice services. Thirty advocates and providers across the state walked the halls and met with over 35 lawmakers at the state Capitol in Columbia to address workforce wage demand. HCAOA South Carolina Chair Melissa Allman, Director of Government Affairs at BAYADA Home Care, stated, “We are grateful for the continued support from the General Assembly and the Department of Health and Human Services.”
Genworth has been tracking the costs of long-term care services nationwide since 2004. The 2023 Cost of Care Survey gathered data from over 11,000 surveys from nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult day health facilities, and home care providers. Although the expenses for home care aides have risen, they remain notably lower compared to institutional care, as illustrated by the data in the Genworth Cost of Care Survey results.
Undecided if you should attend HCAOA’s National Home Care Advocacy Day, April 16 – 17 in Washington, D.C.? Was the cost of the hotel a concern? Then worry no more! HCAOA is happy to announce that we have secured a room block at the Capital Hilton Hotel at a discounted rate of $399 plus tax per room night. Reservations must be made by Friday, March 29, so please secure your hotel reservations as soon as possible to receive the discounted rate.
Last week, more than 40 HCAOA members and staff spent the day at the state Capitol in Sacramento asking lawmakers and members of the Newsom Administration to support a bill to protect seniors and families hiring in-home support. The main issue of discussion for the day was AB 2185, which would prohibit Domestic Referral Agencies (DRAs) from compensating home care workers and independent contractors, which has become more and more of an issue in California, especially in recent years as the demand for services grows. Even if you were not able to attend the Advocacy Day, you can still do your part by sending a letter of support to your lawmakers.
Would you be interested in paying less for your employee health benefits? As an HCAOA member, if your agency has 15+ employees, you can receive a 2% discount on association affinity health plan rates with Benefit Indemnity Corporation. Benefit Indemnity Corporation offers preferred rates and money back on group health plans and self-funded exchange programs for your employees. If you are unsure if you need a fully-insured or self-funded plan, they will provide a comprehensive analysis and recommend the best option for your agency.
HCAOA members…if you haven’t already done so, send a message to your Senators that you support an amendment to the Veterans’ Health Empowerment, Access, Leadership, and Transparency for our Heroes (HEALTH) Act (S.1315). |
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