Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Nevada’s Direct Care Workforce
WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) joined House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), and Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07) in introducing the Direct Creation, Advancement, and Retention of Employment (CARE) Opportunity Act to invest in the direct care workforce across the country and grow the direct care workforce of the future.
Nevada is home to more than 13,000 direct care workers, who provide critical services to seniors and individuals with disabilities and chronic conditions. However, 88% of employers report losing these important caregivers to higher-paying, lower-stress jobs. With nearly one in every five Nevadans projected to be of retirement age by 2030, demand for direct care is only going to increase and exacerbate the challenge of retaining and strengthening this workforce.
The Direct CARE Opportunity Act meets this demand by investing in training, support, and career opportunities for direct care workers. That means more resources for employers to recruit and retain staff, more advancement opportunities for caregivers to excel in their important roles and incentivize them to remain in the workforce, and continuity of care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
"Nevada is home to more than 13,000 direct care workers who work tirelessly to support Nevada seniors and those with disabilities every day, but demand for their services is skyrocketing," said Congresswoman Lee. "The Direct CARE Opportunity Act meets that demand in Nevada and across the country by directly investing in the retention, recruitment, and training of our direct care workforce. This practical investment supports caregivers currently in the workforce, strengthens the direct care workforce pipeline, and ensures that those who depend on direct care workers can continue to live securely and with dignity."
"Direct care workers play an essential role in caring for our nation's seniors and individuals with disabilities," said Ranking Member Scott. "Regrettably, our investments in this critical workforce have lagged far behind the rapidly growing need for their services. It's time to address the shortage of care workers and provide them with the resources and support they deserve. By funding innovative strategies to recruit, retain, and support direct care workers, the Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2023 helps ensure that our nation's seniors and individuals with disabilities have access to vital, everyday care."
"Direct care workers work around the clock to provide critical support to so many of our loved ones in their most vulnerable moments," said Congresswoman Wild. "We can't take care of seniors and those with disabilities without a strong workforce—which is why I'm working to address the care worker shortage by investing in resources for direct care workers. I'm proud to reintroduce the Direct CARE Act to bring much-needed support to our care workforce and ensure that America's seniors and people with disabilities can live with the dignity and care they deserve."
Representing the Third Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Lee has been laser-focused on keeping Nevadans healthy. From championing legislation to help seniors afford life-saving medication to leading efforts to expand telehealth services, Congresswoman Lee is fighting to deliver results in Washington, including her MOBILE Health Care Act, signed into law last year. Congresswoman Lee has been named one of the top ten most bipartisan Members in the U.S. House, the most bipartisan Member from Nevada, and serves as Vice-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus.
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