Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act of 2024
The proposed bill emphasizes the training of nursing home workers, including eligible individuals such as home health aides, nurse aides, and social workers. By providing financial support for training, tuition assistance, and wage subsidies, the bill aims to enhance the quality of care in nursing homes and mitigate workforce shortages. Additionally, it allows states to offer child care assistance and support services to enhance recruitment and retention of qualified staff, which could fundamentally enhance the operational capabilities of nursing homes across the country.
House Bill 7929, titled the 'Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act of 2024', aims to amend title XX of the Social Security Act to establish grants for nursing home worker training. This initiative intends to address the pressing need for adequately trained personnel in nursing homes, which have seen increasing demand due to an aging population. The bill outlines a funding structure that allocates $400 million annually for the fiscal years 2025 through 2028 to support training programs and wage subsidies for eligible nursing home workers.
While the bill has garnered support due to its focus on improving training for nursing home workers, there are concerns about the effectiveness of the grants and the actual implementation at the state and local levels. Some stakeholders argue that simply providing funds may not solve the underlying issues related to pay and working conditions in nursing homes. Critics may also point to the potential for administrative inefficiencies when distributing federal grants, especially considering the specific requirements for eligibility and use of funds outlined in the legislation.