U.S. Capitol Building
The House approved an $819 billion stimulus package on Wednesday and the Senate plans to debate their own version next week. New job creation is now on the horizon. In addition, states are likely to receive a much needed bailout for Medicaid.
According to the New York Times, the stimulus package might be delivered to President Obama’s desk before Congress breaks in mid February. Still, the Times reports (“House Passes Stimulus Plan with No G.O.P. Votes“) that the House and Senate are sharply divided on how to structure $87 billion in Medicaid relief.
However they end up resolving this disagreement, the question remains how much this will benefit the nation’s direct-care workforce. Echoing recommendations set forth by PHI, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care released a statement (pdf), detailing their recommendations, which include:
- Using economic recovery funding to support long-term care
- Increasing funding for Medicaid
- Boosting the long term care sector’s access to capital to fund building new housing for the elderly
- Strengthening the direct-care workforce
AHCA and the Alliance called for work force development initiatives in the federal recovery package to be specifically targeted at the long-term care sector, “which could create jobs quickly.” Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA, explained, “Our message to President Obama and Congress is America’s long term care sector contributes significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and plays a vital role in America’s economic health.”
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