Healthcare workforce challenges in long term care continue and the approval of the NATCEP waiver is a positive step in the right direction but more will be needed to address the shortages on direct care workers. Earlier in September, a bipartisan group of 14 federal lawmakers, led by Congressman Bret Guthrie (R-KY-2), sent a letter to CMS, requesting the agency’s support of H.R. 7744, the Building America’s Workforce Act. The legislation would extend the 1135 waiver flexibilities for a period of 24 months upon the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration. The American Health Care Association supported the bill when it was introduced earlier this year.
Indiana is fortunate to have been granted the NATCEP waiver that allows more time to ensure TNA’s and PCA’s complete training and testing in order to continue to provide care to the seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
What you need to know:
- Indiana Department of Health received a statewide NATCEP waiver
- The timeframe of 10/06/2022has now been extended to get nurse aides certified.
- Extension until 3/29/2023 or until the PHE ends, whichever comes first.
Please forward your questions to ldavenport@ihca.org or SuWilliams@isdh.IN.gov