Rep. Fay statement on accelerating the pay raises timeline for personal care workers

Following this week's announcement that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services will accelerate MaineCare rate increases that are designated to support pay raises for personal care workers who care for Maine’s older residents at home, Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, released the following statement:

“As the House chair of the Commission to Study Long Term Care Workforce Issues, I learned about Maine’s vast need for direct care workers, and about the many ways those workers need support. The number one recommendation of the Commission was to increase reimbursement rates so that providers could pay the caregiving workforce 125% of minimum wage.

“We are not there yet, but this funding is an important bridge for workers on the front lines. I am grateful to Gov. Mills and Commissioner Lambrew for this critically important action to accelerate the rate increase timeline. People who care for Maine’s older adults and people with intellectual and physical disabilities are needed now more than ever in this time of social distancing.”

Today’s announcement made it so starting April 1, 2020, providers will receive rate increases that will allow them to fund pay raises for approximately 20,000 personal care workers, instead of on July 1, 2020 as previously approved by the Legislature.

Fay served as House co-chair on the Legislature’s Commission to Study Long-term Care Workforce Issues. She is also the House chair of the bipartisan Legislative Caucus on Aging, she serves on the Legislature’s Environment and Natural Resources Committee and the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee and she represents part of Casco, part of Poland and part of Raymond.