Wage Increase for Direct Care Workers (F,S)    We will never meet the existing demand, much less the future demand of safe, quality home care attendants if we do not increase the wages they receive. The pay we provide must reflect the critical support they offer to our families and loved ones.

  Mandating Training for Personal Care Attendants (F,S)     Direct Care Workers who support frail elderly and disabled persons so they can remain in their home are among the least trained workers in our State. Changes must be made to insure a quality of care for our most vulnerable citizens and for the safety and retention of our critically needed direct care workers.

Direct Support Professionals Fairness and Security Act  (F)    To stabilize and increase the number of direct care workers in the work force, the wages and benefits of direct care workers must be improved and made equitable among long term support options. Enhanced Federal Medicaid matching funds should be available to assist states committed to addressing wage differentials among direct care workers.

National Silver Alert  Act (H.R. 6064) (F)    Silver Alert is a public notification system that goes into effect when a missing senior with dementia or other mental impairment is reported. Similar to the Amber Alert used for missing children, Silver Alert utilizes media outlets such as radio, television, and electronic signs to broadcast information in order to locate and return missing seniors. This approach allows broadcasting of an alert beyond the immediate vicinity. HR 6064 would establish a national Silver Alert Communications Network within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist regional and local search efforts for missing seniors.

Caring for an Aging America Act of 2008 (S. 2708 / H.R. 6337) (F) To attract and retain trained health care professionals and direct care workers dedicated to providing quality care to the growing population of older Americans by providing loan forgiveness and career advancement opportunities. The bill will also establish a health and long-term care workforce advisory panel for an aging America.

Ensuring the Future Physician Workforce Act of 2008 (S2729) (F) This legislation is aimed at improving health care delivery options, lowering costs, and strengthening access for patients, particularly those on Medicare. Specifically, it addresses the declining reimbursement rate for Medicare physicians which is threatening the availability of quality health care for Medicare recipients and limiting the time available for doctors to treat individual patients.

Fair Home Health Care Act of 2007 (H.R. 3582/S. 2061) (F) Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exempt certain home health care workers who are employed on a casual basis from the minimum wage and maximum hour requirements under such Act.