Action Alert – ARPA Funding Bill

Texas House Appropriations Committee will be hearing HB 145 which allocates ARPA funding. It does not include any relief for long-term care facilities or frontline staff. The hearing begins at 10am today and we need providers asking their legislators how long-term care, particularly nursing homes could be left out!?

First, submit comments online and select HB 145. Comments are accepted until the hearing is adjourned so please do this ASAP. I encourage you to share a few talking points about your community but you may also copy and paste this message: 

Long-term care communities have been on the frontline of COVID-19 for the last 18 months. As a non-profit organization with a longstanding history in our community, we remain dedicated to providing the highest quality services and care to the older Texans we serve. We face many challenges as we continue to protect both residents and staff from COVID-19. The pandemic has devastated our communities and staff. Filling direct-care staff vacancies and other essential positions is one of the biggest challenges we are facing today. 

We ask House Appropriations Committee and the Texas House to prioritize long-term care by directing ARPA funds to strengthen the Long-Term Care workforce by investing ARPA funds in the following areas: 

1. Recruiting  and  hiring  qualified  staff.
2. Off-setting the cost of using temporary staffing agencies to adequately staff.
3. Staff retention programs to include frontline staff bonus, hero pay.
4. Long-term care nursing student loan repayment assistance program for candidates who meet eligibility criteria for application, including full-time employment by a long-term care facility. 
5. Free training and testing for CNAs.
6. Provide greater access and scholarships to LVN to RN Bridge Programs.

Reach out to your State Representatives and Chair of the House Appropriations Committee today asking them to make sure long-term care and the long-term care workforce receives support in this bill.

Thank you, 
 
Alyse Meyer
Vice President of Advocacy
(512) 467-2242 ext. 105