Current:Home > NewsHome health provider to lay off 785 workers and leave Alabama, blaming state’s Medicaid policies-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Home health provider to lay off 785 workers and leave Alabama, blaming state’s Medicaid policies
View Date:2024-12-23 15:00:06
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A home health provider will end its services in Alabama at the end of September and lay off nearly 800 employees soon after, blaming the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid.
Chicago-based Help at Home informed the Alabama Department of Commerce of its upcoming closure and layoffs in a WARN notice, which employers are required to file ahead of such moves.
Help at Home spokesperson Kristen Trenaman told AL.com that its Alabama operations will cease Sept. 30, when the company’s annual contracts with the state expires. The layoffs of 785 employees, which are scattered throughout all 67 counties in the state, will be effective Nov. 4, she said.
“The current reimbursement and regulatory environment for Medicaid-funded home care has made it difficult to recruit, hire and retain workforce and we have not been able to overcome these challenges in the state of Alabama,” Trenaman said in an email.
Alabama is one of 10 states that hasn’t accepted federal funding to expand its Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act, and has some of the strictest income-based eligibility requirements in the country.
Advocates and legislators say an estimated 300,000 people could gain Medicaid coverage through an expansion. So far, the state has blamed cost – an estimated $225.4 million per year – for its lack of expansion. Yet, in 2023 alone, Alabama passed on more than $2 billion in federal money for Medicaid.
Help at Home, which provides services for elderly and disabled patients, has operated in Alabama since 1975 and has five offices across the state. Trenaman said the company is working with the state and the Administration on Aging, a nationwide network on aging overseen by the federal government, to connect its clients and their caregivers with other providers.
The company will offer severance and retention packages to its full-time employees in Alabama, Trenaman said.
veryGood! (83)
Related
- Reese Witherspoon's Daughter Ava Phillippe Introduces Adorable New Family Member
- Saint West Can't Contain His Excitement During Kim Kardashian's Interview at Lionel Messi's MLS Debut
- Why Julian Sands' Cause of Death Has Been Ruled Undetermined
- Ariana Grande Dating Wicked Co-Star Ethan Slater After Dalton Gomez Breakup
- As CFP rankings punish SEC teams, do we smell bias against this proud and mighty league?
- Taylor Swift Lets Out the Ultimate LOL While Performing Song About Kanye West Feud
- Love endures for Ukrainian soldier who lost both arms, sight during war
- Amy Schumer Reacts to Barbie Movie After Dropping Out of Earlier Version
- Judge hears case over Montana rule blocking trans residents from changing sex on birth certificate
- These Shirtless Photos of Jeremy Allen White Will Have You Saying Yes Chef
Ranking
- 'Bizarre:' Naked man arrested after found in crawl space of California woman's home
- Sink Your Teeth Into These Juicy Secrets About The Vampire Diaries
- How Selena Gomez Became the Mental Health Champion We All Needed
- Coast Guard searching for cruise passenger who jumped overboard
- Officer injured at Ferguson protest shows improvement, transferred to rehab
- Woman found dead after suspected bear encounter near Yellowstone
- Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $300 Tote Bag for Just $83
- Project Runway All Stars' Designer Anna Zhou Talks Hard Work, Her Avant-Garde Aesthetic & More
Recommendation
-
KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
-
Taylor Swift Lets Out the Ultimate LOL While Performing Song About Kanye West Feud
-
Zayn Malik's Steamy New Song “Love Like This” Will Make Your Heart Race
-
Ethan Slater Makes Instagram Account Private Amid Ariana Grande Romance
-
What’s the secret to growing strong, healthy nails?
-
Victoria Beckham Performs a Spice Girls Song With David Beckham and Teases More to Come
-
Sink Your Teeth Into These Juicy Secrets About The Vampire Diaries
-
Barack and Michelle Obama's Chef Dies While Paddleboarding Near Their Martha's Vineyard Home