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Appropriations briefing highlights nursing‑home instability, workforce pressure and BAA requests for direct‑care bonuses and emergency aid
Summary
At an appropriations briefing, the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living outlined a BAA request including $2,396,001 for direct‑care worker bonuses and an emergency nursing‑home relief ask of $14.5 million, while officials warned the long‑term care system remains unstable and workforce shortages are the primary concern.
The appropriations committee heard a Budget Adjustment Act (BAA) briefing from the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) that detailed a package of adjustments including $2,396,001 in appropriations for direct‑care worker bonuses and an emergency financial relief (EFR) ask for nursing homes of $14,500,000. Commissioner Bridal, presenting for the department, said the department is starting a planning year to project long‑term needs and emphasized workforce pressures as the central problem.
"But the biggest one is still the workforce," Commissioner Bridal said, citing Vermont’s unusually high reliance on traveler and contract nursing staff. "In Vermont, it's now about 25%, and it came down from 30%," Bridal added, contrasting those shares with a national average of roughly 5 percent.
The presen…
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