Dusty Johnson: “With the many priorities we have to cope with, I would simply like to point out that we cannot lose sight of the need to…”

“With the many priorities we have to cope with, I would simply like to point out that we cannot lose sight of the need to address the very critical problem of labor shortages plaguing our health care providers both in my State, and all across the Nation. It is important that the budget resolution we ultimately pass address these labor shortages. In my own State of South Dakota, for example, it is not uncommon to have a 100 percent turnover rate for Certified Nursing Assistants-- clearly that's a crisis that should not and cannot continue if we are going to maintain quality care for seniors. And for anyone who doesn't know what the Certified Nursing Assistants do--they are the ones who provide the front line, bedside care to the frail and elderly. A very difficult and demanding job. Another major problem is that the average starting salary for South Dakota's certified nursing assistants is just $7.32 per hour--and the average wage is $8.10 per hour.”