<Home
Michigan House Republicans
Senate unanimously approves Rep. Bollin’s plan to address health care worker shortage
RELEASE|April 27, 2022
Contact: Ann Bollin

A plan sponsored by state Rep. Ann Bollin to help address staffing shortages in the health-care industry will soon be on its way to the governor’s desk for her possible signature.

Bollin’s measure – which makes it easier for those who stepped up to serve as direct care workers at nursing facilities during the pandemic to become certified nursing assistants – received unanimous support in the Senate and overwhelming bipartisan support in the House.

“During the pandemic, temporary nurse aides stepped up to serve the public and accumulated many hours of invaluable on-the-job training,” said Bollin, of Brighton Township. “The vital work these dedicated men and women did on the front lines of the pandemic should count toward their nursing assistant certifications and help continue to advance their careers.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services waived requirements that nurse aides must be certified to work in a nursing facility for longer than four months. Michigan utilized this waiver to bring more than 2,000 workers into the long-term care setting to address critical workforce shortages. These temporary aides worked primarily as caregivers providing necessary care and services typically provided by certified nurse aides (CNAs). 

Bollin’s measure, House Bill 5089, ensures that hours worked as a temporary aide during the pandemic will count toward the 75-hour training requirement to become a CNA. It also includes an option for online training and an online competency evaluation.

WellBridge Group CEO Michael Perry, who operates skilled nursing facilities in Livingston County, said the reform is necessary.

“Our company and others embraced the opportunity to bring these enthusiastic, dedicated caregivers into our facilities,” Perry said. “Allowing them to continue to provide care as they have done for much of the pandemic will benefit both staff and residents in Michigan’s nursing facilities. We appreciate Rep. Bollin working to find a solution to this important workforce problem.”

###

Michigan House Republicans
RELATED POSTS

© 2009 - 2024 Michigan House Republicans. All Rights Reserved.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.