Healthcare Workers ask for a Raise
I'm not sure if you're seeing commercials for healthcare workers asking their state governments for a raise in Medicaid funding, but here in Ohio there has been one commercial that has been all over the television.
The commercial is actually pretty catchy, starting out with several shots of groups of residents around the nursing home playing games, exercising, eating, etc. Then a young nurse comes on and says how she would like to stay there working with those nice residents but just can't afford to. She goes on to say that with the price of everything going up, her salary just doesn't cover all her bills anymore and there isn't any money available for a raise. All because the state will not approve a bigger budget for Medicaid funding, and it's up to the voters at election time to vote yes for increasing taxes for Medicaid funding. She smiles and the screen flashes to the "Vote for Issue #XX" wordage with all the verbal disclaimers in the background.
Pretty good, but there are a few issues to question. First off, any day my paycheck covers all my bills is a day a miracle happened. I don't know many people who work in a SNF that make a paycheck big enough to cover everything they need. Secondly, all the residents they show are alert, sitting up, well dressed, participating 100%. I don't know of many SNF's that have a population like that. Showing some of the real residents might get a bigger reaction. Finally, increased taxes? That will surely get some votes -NOT.
I'm all for increased funding for Medicaid, and no matter how they find the money I just hope that it ends up in the paychecks of the aides, housekeepers, laundry, kitchen and other ancillary staff instead of meaning bigger bonuses for the upper management.
Until next time, hope all your thoughts are good,
Tim