Advocates Push NY to Increase Home-Care Workers’ Pay
“Advocates for New Yorkers with disabilities are calling on state lawmakers to take action on policies that would raise earnings for home-care workers.
The Fair Pay for Home Care Act would increase the pay for workers in home- and community-based care services to at least 150% of the minimum wage.
Heidi Siegfried – health policy director with Center for Independence of the Disabled New York – said low pay in this field has contributed to high worker turnover, which could leave people without the care they need.
‘So, the person may end up going without care for a day,” said Siegfried. “Not able to get out of bed, not able to transfer. Depending on your disability, some people are very dependent on the worker to live their lives.’
Siegfried said her group also hopes New York Gov. Kathy Hochul will slate a home-care worker pay raise in the state budget being announced tomorrow.”