Senior living and care advocates are cheering Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers’ (D) budget proposal for 2023-2025.
Among the proposal’s provisions, it would expand the WisCaregiver Careers program that offers scholarships to address the shortage of certified nursing assistants in the state’s nursing homes. The program is a public-private collaboration between the state’s Department of Health Services and advocacy groups, the Wisconsin Health Care Association and LeadingAge Wisconsin. Additionally, the governor has proposed funding for a pilot program to address the needs of complex hospital patients in need of post-acute placements, creating workforce incentive grants and funding additional nurse educators to expand nursing school enrollment.
“The proposed budget includes several key initiatives to support the state’s long-term care and services system,” John Sauer, CEO of LeadingAge Wisconsin, said in a statement. “By moving toward a permanent payment standard for nursing homes and initiating a fee schedule for family care providers, long-term care organizations will be better positioned to strengthen their workforces and address the care needs of the residents they serve. These investments are critically necessary to sustain the future viability of Wisconsin’s nursing facilities and long-term care communities.”
The Wisconsin Assisted Living Association likewise is enthusiastic about the governor’s proposed budget, which would invest $300 million to support local and regionally based projects to help expand the state’s workforce and invest in healthcare infrastructure and other capital projects in communities, and would invest $200 million to continue the Workforce Innovation Grant Program.
“We are grateful that Gov. Evers’ proposals would help address the workforce crisis and provide funding to support the Family Care Rate Setting Initiative. As assisted living facilities are shutting their doors all across the state, these investments are vital to ensure elderly individuals and those with disabilities receive quality care and services,” WALA President and CEO Michael Pochowski said in a statement.
