Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB7994

Introduced
4/15/24  
Refer
4/15/24  

Caption

Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act

Impact

If enacted, HB 7994 would have a significant impact on state laws concerning labor rights for direct care professionals, particularly regarding their compensation standards. By mandating that at least 85% of payments for long-term care services through Medicaid be allocated to compensation for direct care workers, the bill aims to improve wage structures within the sector. It also emphasizes the importance of equitable reimbursing rates for home and community-based services, which could facilitate greater access to such services across different populations in need.

Summary

House Bill 7994, titled the 'Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act', is designed to enhance and support the direct care professional workforce that provides essential services in long-term care settings. The bill authorizes funding to implement various strategies aimed at improving compensation for direct care professionals, enhancing training opportunities, and ensuring reimbursement from Medicaid programs is sufficient to support service delivery. Notably, the legislation seeks to allocate specific percentages of Medicaid payments directly to workers who provide these critical services.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 7994 has centered on issues of funding sources and the potential for increased financial burdens on state budgets. Proponents of the bill assert that the long-term benefits of a well-compensated workforce will lead to better patient outcomes and lower turnover rates among care staff. However, opponents express concern about the feasibility of sustaining funding for the proposed initiatives and worry about the implications for state healthcare budgets. Additionally, discussions have highlighted the necessity of ensuring that any reform does not inadvertently result in increased institutional care, which contradicts the bill's intent to promote in-home care solutions.

Companion Bills

US SB1176

Related Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

US HB2663

Related Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act

US HB7929

Related Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act of 2024

Previously Filed As

US SB4120

Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act

US SB1298

Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act

US HB7907

Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act

US HB8056

Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act

US HB6655

A Stronger Workforce for America Act

US SB226

Programs To Support Health-care Workforce

US SB4139

Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act

US HB7924

ACCESS in Mental Health Act Advancing Culturally Competent and Equitable Supportive Services in Mental Health Act

US SB4088

Welcome Back to the Health Care Workforce Act

US HB7929

Nursing Home Workforce Support and Expansion Act of 2024

Similar Bills

US SB4120

Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act

US SB5581

A bill to strengthen and expand efforts to identify, include, and advance untapped potential in the United States' international affairs workforce to strengthen national security, and for other purposes.

US HB9161

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