Frail elders will pay for new anti-immigrant rules

[struggle4progress]

Howard Gleckman

The Trump administration has adopted tough new rules aimed at barring low-wage workers from coming to the U.S. Direct care workers such as personal care aides, home health aides, and certified nursing assistants will be among the biggest victims. But so will frail elders and younger people with disabilities, who will find it even more difficult to get the help they need.

The new “public charge” rule, first proposed last year, will take effect in 60 days. It will bar legal immigrants from getting a “green card” that allows them to work if the government decides they are likely to receive public benefits such as Medicaid, housing supports, or food stamps (SNAP). People seeking to come to the U.S. would be blocked from entry unless they can convince U.S. officials that they are not likely to receive such benefits anytime in the future.

Trump is imposing the rule at a time when home care agencies and nursing facilities report a growing shortage of aides, thanks to a combination of low wages, a strong economy, and past curbs on immigration. The market is so tight that some agencies are requiring their workers to sign non-compete agreements to prevent them from moving to competitors or working directly for their clients.

And the shortage will only get worse as the Baby Boomers age. According to CareerCast, Americans will require a half-million more home health aides and 750,000 more personal care aides by 2025 ...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2019/08/12/how-frail-elders-will-pay-for-trumps-new-anti-immigrant-rules/#3c2cb43f5b44

[pertello]

1. Nope, not in CT at least

All the CNA’s in nursing homes up here are trained in Haiti or Jamaica, then apply for licensing immediately upon arriving for the most part. And they are hard working non complaining good workers. They’re the backbone of any nursing home.

[in2herbs]

2. Would $15/hr wage (for 35-40 hr week) pay them enough to waive public benefits? If so, this

stupid rule can be easily overcome -- and should be overcome even if they don't make the necessary wage level.

[littlemissmartypants]

3. The elder care crisis is a ticking time bomb.

The economy is going to feel a severe strain as boomers continue to age into the need for a larger group of daily caregivers. We should be focused on this like a laser.

Snip...

Decline in Working-Age Population
A rapidly aging population means there are fewer working-age people in the economy. This leads to a supply shortage of qualified workers, making it more difficult for businesses to fill in-demand roles. An economy that cannot fill in-demand occupations faces adverse consequences, including declining productivity, higher labor costs, delayed business expansion and reduced international competitiveness. In some instances, a supply shortage may push up wages, thereby causing wage inflation and creating a vicious cycle of price/wage spiral.

To compensate, many countries look to immigration to keep their labor forces well supplied. While countries such as Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom are attracting more highly skilled immigrants, integrating them into the workforce can be a challenge because domestic employers may not recognize immigrant credentials and work experience, especially if they were obtained in countries outside of North America, Western Europe and Australia.

...snip...

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/011216/4-global-economic-issues-aging-population.asp

Emphasis mine.