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Gov. Hochul signs legislation aimed at reducing home health care staffing shortages


NYS Governor Kathy Hochul. File.{ }{p}{/p}
NYS Governor Kathy Hochul. File.

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Legislation that New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Chris Burdick introduced, which will require the state Department of Health (DOH) to maintain a schedule of competency examinations for home care service workers, has been signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.

The newly enacted legislation (S.1201A / A.4662A), which goes into effect in 60 days, will help with the dire statewide staffing shortages being experienced in the home health care services sector. To make up for the deficit, home care companies are actively recruiting workers from outside New York. Maintaining and posting a schedule of when the DOH is offering necessary competency examinations makes it easier for out of state home health care professionals to fill open positions.

The situation with home health care service providers around the state is now at a crisis level, with too many patients left without professional help because of unfilled positions,” said Harckham. “Being able to facilitate a way to attract more home care workers from out of state by promoting the schedule for necessary exams is a good first step toward a solution, and I thank Governor Hochul for recognizing what needs to be done and supporting this legislation.

Along with maintaining the schedule of competency exams in consultation with the state Department of Education, the DOH is expected now to feature the information on its website and make sure it is readily accessible to the public.

I am delighted that we have reached an agreement with Governor Hochul for legislation requiring the Department of Health to maintain a publicly available schedule of competency exams for qualified non-resident home care service workers,” said Burdick. “This action is much needed to address a continued shortage of home care service workers. We thank the Governor for her collaboration with the legislature.

New York has an aging population, which is aggravating the statewide shortage of certified nursing assistants, home health aides and personal care aides who provide the bulk of daily long-term care. According to a recent report from the Lerner Center for Public Health Promotion at Syracuse University, 3.2 million New Yorkers—nearly one in six—are 65 and older, and the senior demographic is growing faster than any other group in the state.

State Senator Harckham represents New York's 40th Senate District, which includes the towns of Beekman, Pawling and the village of Pawling in Dutchess County; the towns of Carmel, Patterson and Southeast, and the village of Brewster in Putnam County; and the city of Peekskill, the towns of Cortlandt, Lewisboro, Mount Pleasant, New Castle, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers and Yorktown, the town/village of Mount Kisco, and the villages of Briarcliff Manor, Buchanan, Croton-on-Hudson, Pleasantville and Sleepy Hollow in Westchester County.

State Assemblymember Chris Burdick represents New York’s 93rd Assembly District, which includes the Westchester towns of Bedford, Harrison, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, New Castle, North Castle, North Salem and Pound Ridge, plus approximately half of the city of White Plains.

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