Wisconsin Democrats Propose Increases in Pay, Training for Caregivers

Wisconsin Democrats are pushing a bill to increase wages and expand training for nursing aides and caregivers working in long-term care facilities.  Representatives Lisa Subeck and Jonathan Brostoff and Senators LaTonya Johnson and Jeff Smith introduced the CNA Pay Act Tuesday.  They say immediate action is needed to raise wages of these caregivers with 16,500 vacant positions in the state and demand for C-N-A’s projected to grow due to the aging population.  A recent report shows the starting median wage for personal caregivers in Wisconsin is $10.75 an hour.  The legislation would also provide C-N-As with tax credits to cover the cost of their tuition for training and technical college and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for personal care services.