AUGUSTA - Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, introduced legislation to support Maine's direct care workforce before the Committee on Health and Human Services on Monday. The bill, LD 1573, would implement the bipartisan recommendations put forward by the Commission to Study Long-term Care Workforce Issues, on which Fay served as House chair.
In January of 2020, the commission released its report, recommending several policy measures to ensure that Maine has enough direct care workers to support Maine's demographic patterns. The report predicts that 14 counties will have more than 25% of the population aged over 65 years by 2026. Fay'-s bill would implement the commission's recommendations by boosting reimbursement rates for in-home and community support services, increasing the compensation for direct care workers and establishing an oversight advisory committee to monitor workforce shortages.
"The essential caregiver workforce crisis impacts not just older people, but all those who need help with the activities of daily living," said Fay. "We must begin by realizing the value of the work our caregiving workforce does. When we value the work, we realize that we must increase job quality and compensation."
Fay hosted a press conference with Sen. Lisa Keim, R-Dixfield, and several advocates and medical professionals in support of the measure on Monday before the bill's public hearing.
"Maine urgently needs to address the issue of underpaid direct care workers. Daily, tens of thousands of Maine people rely on others for their most personal care," said Keim. "The vital need for these caregivers is growing, just as the pool of folks willing to take on this important work diminishes."
Jess Maurer, executive director at Maine Council on Aging, said during the press conference that growing the direct care workforce would benefit the state's economy. "Investing in Maines essential care workforce by passing LD 1573 makes good economic sense," said Maurer. "It raises the quality of these jobs and increases household income for tens of thousands of Maine households, narrows gender and racial pay gaps and saves money by ensuring people get home care when they need it, avoiding more expensive facilities and hospital care."
Donald Harden, director of aging services at Catholic Charities Maine, also attended the Monday press conference. "The Catholic Charities ISS Homemaker Program has over a thousand people waiting for in-home assistance because we cant hire enough staff," said Harden. "Rep. Fay's legislation, LD 1573, has strategically prioritized the most important and urgent of the commission's recommended actions to address workforce shortages and moves us towards a better vision for Maines essential care workforce."
"Wage increases must be provided for a skilled workforce that has been chronically underpaid," said Brenda Gallant, R.N., executive director of the State Long-term Care Ombudsman Program, at the press conference. "Thousands of older and disabled Maine people who need care are depending upon these workers who cannot always be found. Solving the direct care worker shortage requires a sustained, collaborative effort focused on recruitment and retention."
The Committee on Health and Human Services is scheduled to hold a work session on LD 1573 on Wednesday.
Fay represents House District 66, which includes parts of Casco, Poland and Raymond. She serves on the Legislatures Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and is the chair of the Legislatures Caucus on Aging.
Contact:
Jackie Merrill [Fay], c. 812-1111