The healthcare system in Monroe County, New York is facing a crisis with a shortage of nursing home beds leading to a backlog of people in local hospitals. This issue was addressed by County Executive Adam Bello during his “State of the County Health Care” address, where he highlighted the county’s efforts to support the healthcare workforce.
In response to this crisis, Monroe County has invested $16.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act funding into two programs: the “Transformational Community Care Coordination Program” and the “Community Care Coordination Program.” These programs are a collaboration with Monroe Community Hospital and Finger Lakes Provider System, focusing on workforce development for healthcare professionals such as nursing assistants, home health aides, licensed practical nurses, and registered nurses.
County Executive Bello emphasizes that these workforce programs are offered at no cost to individuals who are interested in entering the healthcare field, removing barriers such as childcare, transportation, tuition, and certification costs. The county aims to train hundreds of healthcare workers over the next few years, but acknowledges that support from the community is essential for sustainability.
Bello also stresses the importance of providing competitive wages and benefits to ensure a stable healthcare workforce in the future. He is working with state lawmakers to advocate for an increase in the Medicaid reimbursement rate to match the rising costs faced by healthcare facilities that accept Medicaid patients. By investing in its healthcare workforce and advocating for fair reimbursement rates, Monroe County is taking steps towards ensuring that its residents have access to high-quality healthcare services.
