The state has set aside $80 million in funding for upstate nursing homes to use to provide employees better wages and health benefits, a pension plan and training … but it hasn’t released it yet.
Administrators for the Lutheran Care Center (LCC) in Poughkeepsie got together with its staff, residents and union representatives this week to work together for their portion of this money.
LCC employees and residents, administrator Helen Byron, and officials with 1199 SEIU (Service Employees International Union) gathered in front of the nursing home on the Dutchess Turnpike in the Town of Poughkeepsie on June 14 to call on the New York State Legislature to release the $80 million.
Maryann Allen, a vice president for 1199 SEIU, said the nursing home’s employees have had a partnership with the union for the last three years. Allen said the employees are the “backbone” of the Lutheran Care Center.
“Health care workers make a quality difference for the people they care for,” Allen said. “We want the state legislators to have a backbone, step up to the plate and release the money.”
The money, Allen said, is a commitment state officials have made to nursing homes to recruit and retain qualified workers by providing them with better wages and benefits, a strong pension plan and the option of going back to school for more training.
“Quality funding helps make this happen,” Allen said. “The money is there. It just has to be released.”
New York State Assemblyman Joel Miller (R-Poughkeepsie) said that the $80 million was earmarked in the 2005 state budget by the Legislature for recruitment and retention of health care workers, but it is not intended to be a one-time disbursement. Miller said $2.4 million of it has been earmarked for 2005, and the rest would be allocated after this year’s budget is finalized and in subsequent budget talks.
Miller said he did not know when nursing homes would begin receiving the funding.
Byron said state lawmakers and Gov. George Pataki need to act on the money before the legislative session closes on June 23 for the “well-being” of the residents, caregivers and ultimately the entire region.
“Our elected officials are sitting on $80 million that could be used to help our nursing homes,” Byron said. “Our goal is to provide resident-centered care and help elderly and disabled individuals live life to the fullest, without sacrificing their dignity, their individuality or their independence.
Mindy Berman, a spokeswoman for 1199 SEIU, said the Lutheran Care Center is involved with the union’s Training and Upgrading Fund, which covers tuition reimbursement for employees who want to go back to college for more education in their selected fields.
At the Lutheran Care Center, Berman said, if an employee wants to go to a New York State University for applied course work , the full tuition is paid immediately via the Training and Upgrading Fund. If an employee wants to go to a private college or university, he or she can be reimbursed for the course work.
Miller said the “language” in the state budget for this money must be amended. Miller called it a “technical amendment” because, from his understanding, they do not want 1199 SEIU mentioned in the budget specifically.
According to Miller, Albany is “dysfunctional,” but he cited this year’s state budget process as an example of lawmakers determined to work together.
“I think it’s appropriate,” Miller said about allocating the money to nursing homes. “Direct care workers should be paid enough. Many are underpaid, overworked, under high stress, and there is a large turnover.”