Colorado senior living advocates support a bill creating a board to stabilize the direct care workforce, but they are urging legislators to take a more holistic approach.
Legislation establishing a Direct Care Workforce Stabilization Board was introduced in the Colorado Senate to review the industry and develop recommendations for minimum employment standards for home- and community-based workers. Originally geared toward home care workers, an amendment to the original bill (SB23-261) language extended any recommendations to additional types of workers who provide direct care services within Colorado’s long-term care delivery system, including assisted living workers.
The 15-member board that would be created by the bill would have representatives from direct care employers, workers and consumers. It would be responsible for making recommendations to lawmakers on wages and working conditions, as well as providing analyses of market conditions, including challenges direct care employers face.
The Colorado Assisted Living Association fought for the inclusion of language about an analysis of the pressures put on employers to increase wages without a corresponding increase in revenues. Among the challenges facing assisted living employers are Medicaid reimbursement rates, regulatory compliance costs, travel time, worker compensation, liability and unemployment insurance.
CALA also asked that the board include a representative from the assisted living industry.
Under the bill, the board would hold at least four public hearings to gather input from direct care workers, employers and consumers before its recommendations are finalized.
Co-sponsor Sen. Tony Exum (D-Colorado Springs) said the bill is about “helping the helpers.”
Colorado Care Workers Unite cited low pay and benefits, as well as a lack of voice in the industry, as reasons that people are leaving direct care jobs
“The way forward is clear: care workers must have the power to come together to discuss the issues in their industry and have a voice in the solutions needed to ensure accessible quality care for all Coloradans and quality jobs for those who provide it,” according to Colorado Care Workers Unite.
The first set of recommendations from the new board would be due Sept. 1, 2024, with additional recommendations due every two years after that.
