Alaska House advances bills aimed at regulating standards, conditions for caregivers

(Photo by Halfpoint Images/Getty Stock photo)

By Haley Lehman

Alaska Beacon

The Alaska House of Representatives advanced two bills relating to certified nurse aide training and home health care workers this week in an effort to support Alaska’s growing senior population.

The bills aim to regulate Alaska’s health care by setting training standards for CNAs and regulating wages and conditions for caregivers.

HB 244, sponsored by Rep. Jubilee Underwood, R-Wasilla, would establish eleven standards of a CNA training program at no cost to the state to ensure that patients receive competent health care. The bill passed with 39 yes votes. Rep. David Nelson, R-0Anchorage was excused absent.

“It simply says through regulation, CNA training should reflect the real job, communicating with patients, recognizing behavioral changes, supporting dignity and independence and properly caring for people with cognitive conditions,” Underwood said.

The House also advanced HB 96, sponsored by Rep. Mike Prax, R-North Pole, which would establish a Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board to investigate and provide a biennial report on wages, workforce and working conditions for home care personnel. The board would be required to meet at least three times annually. The bill also ensures that 70% of Medicaid funding to agencies providing home and community-based services will go directly to employees and benefits.

“The home care industry has kind of developed organically if you will and there are no professional licensing requirements at this time, but they do need to set up some recognizable standard to organize the industry for purposes of pay and services,” Prax said.

The bill passed 35-5 in the House Monday and advanced to the Senate for consideration.

Alexis Rodich, director of Alaska and Montana SEIU 775, a union representing long-term care workers, said in April that the bill is a solution to a caregiver workforce crisis and provides accountability for Medicaid dollars.

The Health Department stated in the fiscal note that it would cost approximately $378,900 annually and would require the department to hire two full-time health program managers.

Rep. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, voted against the bill. She said Monday that she supports the need for home care employment positions but suggested consolidating the duties of the Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board into another Health Department board.

Rep. Zack Fields, D-Anchorage, supported the bill and said that it is in the state’s best financial interest to maintain a functioning home health care work force.

“It both minimizes our long-term expenses for long-term care while keeping our elders in the place they prefer to stay, which is in their home with their family,” he said.

According to Rodich, personal care services are 45-90% less costly than nursing facilities or Alaska pioneer homes.

Shanah Kinison, a caregiver for a child with disabilities, wrote that she sees caregivers leaving the state and the bill could support caregivers, clients and their families.

“I support HB96 because it will address the shortage of caregivers in Alaska, the disparity in wages & training, and resolve other issues facing caregivers & their clients,” Kinison said.

Vanessa Liston, a caregiver for one of her children, supported the bill in a letter to legislators and said that the bill could improve her son’s life.

“This bill could upgrade the caregivers and give capability to hire strong caregivers that have pride in their job!! This is so important to the folks with disabilities and would be a game changer for growth for the future!!” she wrote.

• Haley Lehman graduated from James Madison University and reported for the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.