Many caregivers struggle to keep up with the rising costs of housing. Prior research supports what caregivers expressed. We also expect to be able to continue, and even increase, the current enhanced wage rates workers are receiving now: the highest wages in the country for Medicaid home care workers. Faster fix for late pay issues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some states used the emergency influx of federal Medicaid dollars to implement hazard pay, a significant but temporary increase in home care workers wages. Essential Support: State Hazard Pay and Sick Leave Policies for Direct Care Workers During COVID-19 Report Download July 12, 2022 This report details findings from a recent study by PHI on hazard pay and paid sick leave policies enacted across all 50 states and DC from March 2020 to August 2021 (the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic). .h1 {font-family:'Merriweather';font-weight:700;} This allowed caregivers some ability to spend money beyond bills and the bare necessities. Hazard pay is a basic thing to provide for frontline caregivers and we are calling on hospitals to step up and pay them and calling on Congress to include hazard pay in coronavirus relief legislations to recognize the contributions of our members with hazard pay for the duration of this crisis.". One-quarter (25%) of respondents identified a language other than English as their preferred language. Tyrone Leach said he isnt hassled by debt collectors as often, since hazard pay has allowed him to catch up on payments. We will be bargaining soon with employers for updated hazard pay rates through June 2023 and will update you as we know more. [3] All Medicaid-funded home care workers represented by SEIU 775 received the survey, with the exception of a relatively small number who previously said they did not want to be contacted. Senator Murray, caregivers,and senior and disability advocacy representatives online. Please call the Member Resource Center: An employee can refuse to work if they believe conditions are unsafe based on state and federal health safety standards, according to the legislation. Malcom, most people just dont care, he said. Providing care is challenging, physically demanding work and often lacks health insurance, retirement, paid leave, predictable work arrangements, or other protective workplace benefits. Statewide About 6,000 corrections officers represented by the Michigan Corrections Organization will receive an additional $750 per pay period in hazard pay after about 360 of the state's. [CDATA[/* >