Home care workers push for state legislation to raise pay - Spectrum News

New York state lawmakers are looking to increase pay for home health care workers, who are in high demand.

Sally Johnston needs help with just about every part of her day. It took Johnston nearly a year to find her aide, Michelle Spady, who has now been with Johnston for almost a year.

"I had what I call swinging doors," Johnston said. "That's what it felt like, swinging doors. In, out, in, out."

About 17% of home care jobs remain unfilled, according to 1199 SEIU, which recently launched a campaign to increase pay. Johnston, Spady and a list of lawmakers said they think pay is to blame.

"It's hard on both of us," Johnston said.

Spady has worked as an aide for the last six years.

Her pay? Just over $13 an hour.

"If I was to be catching the bus, I wouldn't have this job," Spady said. "It's not paying enough. I wouldn't be able to do it."

State Sen. Rachel May stays in close contact with Johnston — the two working together to advocate for The Fair Pay for Home Care Act.

It would increase pay for home health care workers to 150% of the minimum wage of the region of the state where they work.

"Recognizing that we depend on Michelle and hundreds of thousands of people who are doing the work of care, and we don't show them that we value the work that they do by the way that we pay them," May said.

Supporters of the legislation said there will be about 600,000 home care job openings by 2026.

May said lawmakers are asking for more than $1 billion into the budget for Medicaid. The pay increase wouldn't begin until October. In total, the bill will cost $5 billion, with more than half coming from the federal government.

May said the legislation would lead to long-term economic benefits that would allow people to stay in their homes, rather than going to a nursing facility.

Johnston and Spady said they're hopeful.

"Because there's a lot more legislators supporting it statewide. We're really pushing for it. We're not done yet. We probably have more actions we're going to take before this is over. And prayer doesn't hurt either," Johnston said.

The legislation currently has bipartisan support in the state Legislature.