Political Quotes

“today I am introducing the Direct Care Workforce Empowerment Act. Next year the baby boom generation will start turning 65 and by 2030, all 78 million will have reached that age. We must ensure this generation that fought in our wars, worked in our factories, taught our children and who gave us life and love are cared for. This will require an investment in the health care workforce that was begun under health care reform and must continue into the coming decades. It is the direct care worker that provides most of this care to our loved ones. Unfortunately, they are often not given the respect they deserve for the work they do. Direct care workers help more than 250,000 Pennsylvanians and their families every day. This is also one of the fastest growing professions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is now our responsibility to make sure these jobs, while often personally rewarding, provide opportunity for advancement and economic stability for the workers. This bill will do three key things. The bill will ensure that home care workers receive the Federal minimum wage and overtime protections of the Fair Labor Standards Act; improve Federal and State data collection and oversight with respect to the direct care workforce; and establish a grant program to help states improve direct care worker recruitment, retention, and training. I hope my colleagues join me in supporting this important legislation.”