Covid-19 relief file folder

The New York State Association of Health Care Providers is seeking emergency financial relief for home-and-community-based service providers. 

In a letter sent to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) last weekend, HCP said nearly 90% of respondents to a recent survey reported having difficulty serving existing clients and nearly half were experiencing greater than 10% staff cuts and severe financial disruption resulting from turmoil during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

“The essential care that home care agencies and their heroic workers have been providing throughout the pandemic speaks volumes about their dedication and resourcefulness,” HCP CEO  Kathy Febraio said in the letter. “Now is the time to shore up this industry so it can continue to serve as a valued and valuable part of the continuum of healthcare, bridging the gap between hospital and home, keeping people in their homes and communities.”

The association is seeking emergency relief to pay home care workers overtime and sick leave. It also wants to provide bonuses to new workers so agencies can take on new cases, as well as bonuses to existing employees who have been exhausted by the ongoing pandemic.

New York home care agencies say they are in crisis due to a dearth of available workers. The shortage, they say, has been exacerbated by a state COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Last Friday, Hochul announced the vaccine mandate now requires healthcare workers to get boosters within two weeks of becoming eligible for them.

Febraio told McKnight’s Home Care Daily Pulse last month many home health agencies in New York have seen up to 20% of their staff walk off the job since the state vaccine mandate went into effect last fall.