HARRISBURG – The Senate approved a resolution today that would initiate a study on staffing trends at long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Sen. Judy Ward (R-30) said.
Ward sponsored Senate Resolution 288 in March to better understand how the pandemic affected staffing needs at long-term care facilities, which were hit especially hard by the virus, and how those challenges impacted the state’s Medicaid spending.
“Throughout the Commonwealth, these facilities are struggling with both increased staffing costs and a workforce shortage,” said Ward. “To truly help them, we have to know what we are up against.”
The resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to analyze wage rates for staff and contract nurses, as well as the rates staffing agencies charged to provide these workers to facilities. The commission will also consider wage increases, nurse ratios and the increased need for specialized staff between 2018 and present day.
“This legislation will give us a clear picture of what is driving the challenges that our long-term care facilities have faced in obtaining and keeping staff,” said Ward. “Then, using the study’s findings as a roadmap, we can provide much-needed help to this critical industry.”
The resolution now will be transmitted to the Joint State Government Commission, which will begin the study.
CONTACT: Nathan Akers, 717-787-2421