Senator Pat Jehlen, lead sponsor of S45

Summary

PHI has partnered with Senator Pat Jehlen to introduce S45, An act to establish a task force relative to the Commonwealth’s direct-care workforce.

This bill requires that the Commonwealth takes the steps necessary to ensure that it has an adequate workforce and infrastructure to meet the rising demand for long-term care services and supports.

Bill sponsors: Patricia D. Jehlen, Denise Andrews, Cory Atkins, Christine E. Canavan, Gale D. Candaras, James B. Eldridge, Kay Khan, Karen E. Spilka, Walter F. Timilty

Why Massachusetts Needs This Bill

The first baby boomers started turning 65 in 2011 and represent the leading edge of a major surge in the elder population that will last for at least twenty years. If Massachusetts is to be prepared to care for these citizens, a well-trained and stable workforce must be at hand.

Already, the direct-care workforce is the largest workforce in our state. How will we attract and keep new workers to these jobs while they are characterized by poor wages and benefits, limited training, and high rates of injury–and while the labor pool from which these workers are usually drawn (women aged 25-54) is on the decline?

With the independence and dignity of our seniors and people with disabilities hanging in the balance, Massachusetts must rise to this challenge. The creation of a task force to study and recommend solutions for moving Massachusetts forward is a much needed and necessary step towards that goal.

Resources

Hearing before the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and People With Disabilities on November 15, 2011.

• PHI Testimony in Support of S.45 (pdf)
• Testimony of PCA Victoria Entzminger (pdf)