REPORT: Addressing Wages of the Direct Care Workforce Through Medicaid Policies

Health Workforce

Nov 10

November 2022

Recruitment and retention of the direct care workforce has been a longstanding challenge among states. Low wages are a particular barrier because direct care worker wages often compete with gig employment, where the work is less physically and emotionally taxing. Many states have taken steps to increase provider rates as part of broader recruitment and retention strategies. However, a limited number of states have implementing approaches that include reporting requirements, enforcement vehicles, or other mechanisms to help ensure funds go to intended recipients working in facility and home and community-based service settings.

Aurrera Health’s Lauren Block, Kate Johnson, and Brianna Nielson in partnership with Hannah Maxey and Courtney Medlock of Veritas Health Solutions, recently authored a paper on behalf of the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Addressing Wages of the Direct Care Workforce Through Medicaid Policies. Subsequently, Aurrera Health and Veritas Health Solutions released an Analysis in Brief: State Policies to Address Direct Care Workforce Wages through Medicaid Policies with Reporting and Enforcement Requirements, which is a one-page synopsis of states with have active oversight and enforcement policies in place.