What does Preamble of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This bill, formally titled 'To support the direct care professional workforce, and for other purposes,' aims to support the direct care professional workforce. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 28, 2026, by Mrs. Dingell and Ms. Matsui.

What does FINDINGS AND PURPOSES. of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section finds that direct care professionals play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of older individuals and people with disabilities. The United States faces a growing crisis in its direct care professional workforce due to rising demand and high turnover rates. The purposes of this Act include increasing the capacity of the direct care professional workforce and improving their compensation and working conditions. The Act aims to eliminate disparities in the direct care professional workforce and strengthen support for unpaid family caregivers. The section highlights the challenges faced by direct care professionals, including low wages, limited benefits, and high levels of burnout and professional fatigue.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section defines various terms related to healthcare, education, and social services. Terms defined include 'activities of daily living', 'assisted living facility', 'direct care professional', and 'long-term care services'. The section provides meanings for terms from existing laws, such as the Older Americans Act and the Social Security Act. It also defines terms related to education, including 'community or technical college' and 'secondary school'. The section establishes definitions for terms related to employment, such as 'employ' and 'employee'.

What does ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAID LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section amends the Social Security Act to provide additional support for Medicaid long-term care services provided by direct care professionals. States that meet certain requirements can receive a 10 percentage point increase (up to 95%) to their Federal medical assistance percentage for long-term care services provided by direct care professionals from fiscal years 2026 through 2035. To receive this increase, states must submit an application detailing planned activities, assurances regarding fund usage, and plans to improve compensation, benefits, and training for direct care professionals. Funds must supplement, not supplant, existing state funding and be spent on activities such as increasing provider rates, providing paid leave, hazard pay, and improving job stability for direct care professionals. States are required to submit reports to the Secretary detailing activities funded and the number of individuals served. The Secretary can reduce the increase if a state fails to comply with the requirements of the subsection.

What does ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR MEDICAID LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES AND of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section establishes a grant program to support and strengthen direct care services and improve the recruitment, compensation, and retention of direct care professionals. States seeking grants must submit applications detailing how funds will be used to improve long-term care services, maximize independence, limit institutionalization, and support residential settings. Grant amounts will be allocated to each state based on the proportion of individuals enrolled in Medicaid compared to all states submitting applications. Grant funds must supplement, not supplant, existing state funding for long-term care services. States are required to implement activities to enhance long-term care services and improve compensation for direct care professionals. Activities include adopting a salary review process, requiring a percentage of payments to improve compensation, and updating qualification standards and training opportunities. The Secretary will evaluate the impact of this title on state Medicaid program waiting lists for home and community-based services. An appropriation of $100,000,000,000 is provided for awarding grants under this section.

What does MAKING PERMANENT THE STATE OPTION TO EXTEND PROTECTION UNDER of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section amends Section 1924(h)(1)(A) of the Social Security Act to modify eligibility criteria for Medicaid protection against spousal impoverishment for recipients of home and community-based services. The amendment expands the categories of individuals eligible for medical assistance for home and community-based services, including those eligible under various waiver programs and sections of the Social Security Act. This section also amends Section 2404 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, replacing a sunset date of 'September 30, 2027' with 'the date of enactment of the Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act'.

What does PERMANENT EXTENSION OF MONEY FOLLOWS THE PERSON REBALANCING of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section amends the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 to extend funding It adds a new subparagraph to provide $500,000,000 for each fiscal year after 2026 Unexpended grant awards will be rescinded and added to the appropriation for the fifth succeeding fiscal year

What does DEFINITIONS. of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This chapter defines key terms for grants and activities Eligible entities include States, labor organizations, and nonprofit entities Eligible entities must agree to include certain advisors and trainers Project participants include individuals in grant-assisted projects Supportive services are defined to enable participation in activities

What does AUTHORITY TO AWARD GRANTS. of Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act do?

This section establishes authority for the Secretary to award grants to eligible entities. Grants may be awarded for recruiting, retaining, or providing advancement opportunities for direct care professionals, direct care professional managers, self-directed care professionals, and home and community-based services workers. Grant categories include direct care professionals, direct care professional managers, self-directed care professionals, and home and community-based services. At least 30 percent of projects funded by these grants must focus on career pathways and professional development for direct care professionals. Eligible entities already conducting relevant activities may use grant funds to continue those activities.