House Bill Introduced to Attract, Recruit, Retain Direct Care Workers

Representatives Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Danny Davis (IL-07) introduced the Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Acton April 10, which would provide grants to states, territories, and tribal organizations to support direct care workers in post-acute and long-term care settings.

LeadingAge worked closely with Horsford's office in developing this legislation. "At a time when demand for long-term care in nursing homes and other care settings is growing rapidly, America's long-term care workforce challenges must be addressed," said LeadingAge president and CEO, Katie Smith Sloan, in reference to this bill. "The Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act provides much-needed funding for important supports like tuition assistance and wage subsidies, that will help to sustain staff and attract new employees to the sector, which is critical for our mission-driven, nonprofit members. Without staff, there is no care. We applaud Congressman Horsford for introducing this bill, which will get us one step closer to an America that values older adults and those who serve them."

The funding must be used to provide wage subsidies, student loan repayments or tuition assistance, affordable and accessible childcare, and transportation assistance to employees in post-acute and long-term care settings. Other uses for the funding include providing emergency financial assistance, tools to lower employment barriers such as legal assistance, in-kind resource donations for items like interview clothing, and not less than two weeks of paid leave per year.

The legislative text of the bill can be found here.