FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Mindy Berman, 518.229.0486

While President Biden's “soft infrastructure bills” are one of the most critical issues being debated in Washington, DC this summer, on Wednesday in Albany, New York, 1199SEIU, the largest healthcare workers in the country, hosted a virtual round table discussion on The Better Care, Better Jobs Act. The conversation focused on the provisions of the Act that would invest funds in the homecare industry by:

• Securing funding for small agencies providing these services;
• Prioritizing wage and benefit increases for caregivers.

Panelists included Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20) and Rona Shapiro, 1199SEIU Executive Vice President for Home Care.

“Our communities and economy are best served when we support our essential workers, particularly our frontline healthcare workers, who have kept us going through this crisis,” said Congressman Paul Tonko.

“I’ve pushed hard to advance legislation that invests in our care workers and ensures the best resources are available to them. That’s why I am a proud co-sponsor of The Better Care Better Jobs Act that takes vital steps to enhance Medicaid funding for home and community based services. I thank 1199SEIU and CDPAANYS for their outspoken support of this legislation, and look forward to partnering with them and others leading the charge in this effort to lift up our care workforce and all those who rely on them.”

"These workers have been undervalued," said Rona Shapiro, 1199SEIU Executive Vice President. "The role they play in their client's lives is crucial, and in order for them to continue to be homecare workers, they need to be valued and paid so that they can take care of their own families at the same time they care for others.”

Other panelists included: Christy Johnston, Vice President of Governmental & Managed Care Services; Karen L. Clark, Ph.D, Executive Director Home Health Care Partners; Denise DiNoto, Communications, and Outreach Specialist, Consumer Directed Choices; Kevin M. Kerwin, Esq. Vice President of Public Policy, NYS Association of Health Care Providers

1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. We represent over 450,000 nurses and caregivers throughout Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Florida. Our mission is to achieve quality care and good jobs for all. For more information: http://www.1199seiu.org/