MEDICAID: Memorializes congress and urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to increase pay rates for direct care support workers

HCR 72 is a non-binding resolution urging the U.S. Congress and federal health agencies (specifically CMS) to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for direct care support workers (DCSWs), such as nursing assistants and home health aides. It directly addresses DCSWs who provide essential care to vulnerable populations (elderly, disabled, chronically ill) but face low wages (averaging $9/hour in Louisiana in 2020), leading to staffing shortages. The resolution requests federal action to revise payment structures to improve worker retention and care quality, without creating new law or funding. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses Louisiana’s position to federal leaders.