Written by Megan Sayles,
afro business writer,
msayles@afro.com
Members of Caring Across Maryland, a coalition representing nursing facilities, assisted living, and home care aides, workers, and patients, rally support for important legislation that would strengthen coverage and data collection. , along with partner organizations, gathered in Annapolis, Maryland on March 5th. Across the state’s care settings.
The event was part of a larger national campaign led by the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA). The initiative advocates for government investment in care infrastructure that provides comprehensive support and services for paid and unpaid carers and care recipients. This includes a living wage, benefits, and a path to citizenship for care workers, who are predominantly women and people of color.
While in Annapolis, Caring Across Maryland supported two bills: the Home Care Workers Rights Act (HB39 and HB189). The first would prohibit the Maryland Department of Health from reimbursing residential service agencies (RSAs) that employ nursing care workers as independent contractors. The second would require RSA to submit data on the wages of long-term care workers to the Maryland Department of Labor.
“We are working to transform the long-term care industry,” said Chanel Croxton, NDWA Director of State Strategy and Organization. “We will ensure that those who need care have access to it, that those who work there receive a dignified wage without sacrificing their livelihoods, and that they can pursue the profession they love. I’m trying to make it possible.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average hourly wage for home health and personal care aides in Maryland in 2022 was $15.67, or $32,590 annually. Meanwhile, their daily responsibilities include assisting individuals with bathing and dressing, administering medications, shopping for groceries, preparing meals, doing housework, and driving cars to appointments.
Apart from substandard wages, a major problem in the care industry is misclassification. Croxton said care workers are sometimes classified as independent contractors. This has implications for labor protection and taxes.
Care workers classified as independent contractors must use 1099 tax forms. This means you will have to pay both self-employment tax and income tax. Additionally, you will not receive benefits such as overtime pay or health insurance.
Vivian Boone, a Baltimore native, has been working in home care for 35 years with agencies including Elizabeth Cooney Agency, Sunrise Senior Living, and Chesapeake Home Healthcare. Her entire career earnings are usually between $12 and her $15. She works part-time in the school cafeteria to supplement her income.
“If you are a difficult patient, you may receive $18,” Boone said. “But it’s not [reflect] That I have to come in, get you out of bed, put you in your wheelchair, help you stand to take a shower, make you a meal, do your laundry. It’s a burden. ”
Boone said she was hired as an employee, but her current agency classifies her as an independent contractor.
“We’re not getting any benefits. None. We’re going to be hit hard at the end of the tax year,” Boone said. “Well, I could find another job, but for now I want to focus on solving problems.”
Croxton said HB189 complements the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ federal proposal to direct more funding to care worker wages. The rule, “Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services,” proposes that 80 percent of Medicaid payments for homemakers, home health aides, and personal care services be earmarked for workers’ compensation.
“If we have information about what workers are earning, we will go back to the Legislature and ask for their fair share so that workers can actually benefit from the money that goes into this business. “We can,” Croxton said.
Both bills passed the House and are being considered in the Senate Finance Committee.
Megan Sayles is a member of Report for America.
