Madison, WI Header
File #: 76649    Version: Name: SECOND SUBSTITUTE: Authorizing the City of Madison to develop a comprehensive response to the crisis in home healthcare in Madison
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 3/6/2023 In control: DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISSION
On agenda: 3/7/2023 Final action: 3/21/2023
Enactment date: 3/24/2023 Enactment #: RES-23-00218
Title: SECOND SUBSTITUTE: Authorizing the City of Madison to develop a comprehensive response to the crisis in home healthcare in Madison
Sponsors: Barbara Vedder, Erik Paulson, Michael E. Verveer, Jael Currie, Grant Foster, Sheri Carter, Juliana R. Bennett, Nasra Wehelie, Yannette Figueroa Cole, Barbara Harrington-McKinney, Brian Benford, Nikki Conklin, Tag Evers, Keith Furman, Patrick W. Heck, Sabrina V. Madison, Charles Myadze, Matthew J. Phair, Bill Tishler, Regina M. Vidaver, Satya V. Rhodes-Conway
Attachments: 1. 76649 BY TITLE ONLY v1.pdf, 2. 76649 v2.pdf, 3. 76649 v3.pdf, 4. Statistics-Data Regarding Home Healthcare Crisis.pdf, 5. 032023-032123_CC_public_comments.pdf, 6. Common Council 3/21/23 registrant report
Related files: 80100
Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution directs the Disability Rights Commission and City staff to develop a report related to home healthcare. The resolution does not amend the budget, and the study will be performed with existing staff resources.
Title
SECOND SUBSTITUTE: Authorizing the City of Madison to develop a comprehensive response to the crisis in home healthcare in Madison

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WHEREAS, in Madison active people who are influential in community life are being immobilized and made invisible in their homes or otherwise being sent into institutional care only because of the crisis in home healthcare, which deprives both the city and people with disabilities of their mutual enrichment; and,

WHEREAS, over 18,000 people with disabilities sought and were denied services for long-term caregivers in Wisconsin last year due to a lack of available caregivers; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Caregiver Crisis Coalition of Wisconsin, “over half of family caregivers report that their current situation is unsustainable”; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Caregiver Coalition of Wisconsin, “due to staff shortages in provider agencies, the staff who remain on the job are often overextended and expected to work overtime to fill the gaps in individual care plans”; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Survival Coalition, about 70,000 direct care workers make up the current Wisconsin home healthcare workforce, while the projected need in just 3 years, in 2026, is for over 93,000 of these workers to provide care for those who need it; and,

WHEREAS, according to the Survival Coalition, home healthcare agencies “rely upon state and federally determined reimbursement rates that dictate the wages they can pay their employees”; and,

WHEREAS, the current wages of home healthcare workers are woefully low and, according to the Caregiver Crisis Coalition of Wisconsin, “many providers are reporting that workers are leaving to take better paying jobs in fast food restaurants, gas station...

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