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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 23, 2023 11:37 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Bridget M. Kosierowski |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Retention Bonuses for Long-Term Care Employees |
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused labor shortages for several industries, one of which being long-term care facilities. In a 2021 survey, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) disclosed that 96 percent of long-term care facilities reported staffing shortages. Further, over 380,000 long-term care employees have left the profession altogether for positions offering higher wages and better benefits. These shortages will have devastating effects on long-term care residents in need of this professional care. Long-term care facilities are in trouble, and they need our help, which is why I am introducing legislation to provide retention bonuses to employees in long-term care facilities in Pennsylvania. The legislation will allocate $100 million to provide these bonuses, to recruit and train employees, and to enhance skills development and advanced training. This legislation will provide an essential and deserved incentive for employees, who have served residents on the frontlines since the beginning of the pandemic, to remain in the long-term care profession. Long-term care facilities provide essential care to so many Pennsylvania residents, but they can only do that with proper staffing. I hope you will join me in supporting this important legislation to invest in our long-term care employees. |