Michigan Providing Temporary Pay Increase For Direct Care Workers

MICHIGAN — Temporary $2 per hour pay raises are coming to direct care workers providing Medicaid-funded in-home behavioral health and long-term care services to Michigan residents during the coronavirus.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the temporary pay increases late Thursday. The initiative is part of Whitmer's efforts to support front-line health care workers, the governor said in a news release.

“It has never been more important to care for our most vulnerable residents, and these direct care health workers are risking their lives every day to make sure we continue to flatten the curve,” Whitmer said in a statement. “It is our duty as Michiganders to ensure these front-line heroes have the financial support they need to continue doing their critical work while caring for themselves and their families.”

The pay increase will apply to direct care workers providing Medicaid-funded in-home behavioral health and long-term care services for children and adults. The program will apply to services provided between April and June.

The pay increase for direct health care workers follows Governor Whitmer’s executive order streamlining health care reporting to better identify where outbreaks are occurring in long-term care facilities to provide help and resources where they are needed most to keep residents and workers safe.