Republicans in the state Senate are calling for a package of fixes to solve staffing problems at nursing homes in New York, backing proposals that range from cost-of-living adjustments for pay in the direct care workforce as well as addressing Medicaid reimbursement rates. 

The proposals from the conference come this month as staffing at facilities across the state have been affected by vaccination requirements for health care workers in addition to worker churn during the pandemic.

“Healthcare facilities in New York State have been historically understaffed, and those shortages have been magnified by the recent vaccine mandate for healthcare workers," Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt said. "While the goal of increasing vaccinations is laudable, the mandate and lack of an alternative testing option has created an untenable situation with decreased services, longer wait times, and an overall lower quality of care for New Yorkers." 

The Hochul administration has said the vaccination requirement for health care workers has led to a reduction by about 3% of the workforce sectorwide. 

Still, working in health care, especially in a nursing home and long-term care facility, remains a challenge during the pandemic. 

Lawmakers want to grow the available pool of workers by expanding the eligibility of science, technology, engineering and math scholarships for students pursuing a career in nursing, as well as create a loan forgiveness incentive for people to join the health care or the direct service provider workforce. 

The plan also calls for the ceation of a health care workforce fund to promote the worker pipeline. Graduates would be allowed to practice, under supervision, for 180 days until they are able to get a license. 

And Republicans want bar nursing homes from being fined when they are unable to reach staffing benchmarks, and allow them to have an interstate reciprocity plan for professional licensing. 

“Those who work in our healthcare industry have been under enormous stress over the past year and a half, but many of the challenges they face pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic," said Sen. Patrick Gallivan, the top Republican on the Senate Health Care Committee. "This package of legislation will address several key issues, including staffing, education, patient care and funding.  I urge my colleagues in the legislature to support these initiatives to help ensure New York’s healthcare industry is prepared to meet the needs of residents across the state."