The House Concurrent Resolution No. by Representative Butler aims to memorialize the United States Congress and urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to increase pay rates for direct care support workers (DCSWs), including nursing assistants, home health aides, and personal care aides. These workers provide vital services to vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and individuals with disabilities, yet they are significantly underpaid, with an average hourly wage of approximately nine dollars in Louisiana as of 2020. This low compensation has resulted in high turnover rates, staffing shortages, and compromised care quality, exacerbated by the growing demand for DCSWs due to an aging population.

The resolution emphasizes that inadequate pay has led to a workforce crisis, which threatens the availability of qualified professionals and places additional strain on existing caregivers. It calls for federal action to revise reimbursement structures for Medicaid and Medicare, which directly influence DCSW wages. By advocating for increased wages, the resolution seeks to improve workforce retention, enhance the quality of care provided, and ensure economic stability for these essential workers. The resolution will be transmitted to key federal officials and members of Congress to garner support for this initiative.