Organizations representing home health workers are pushing Gov. Kathy Hochul to reverse a provision in last year's state budget that decreased a state-funded supplement for the wages of home health workers.
The provision was inserted into the budget after closed-door negotiations and simultaneously increased funding for a health department program that benefits home health agencies affiliated with the politically connected healthcare workers union, 1199 SEIU.
Home healthcare worker organizations are urging lawmakers and the governor to reverse the provision in this year's budget, stating that it unfairly placed the burden of minimum wage increases on a group of immigrant women.