Facing critical shortage, bipartisan legislation would hike wages for direct care workers

By: Eesha Pendharkar

Outlets: Maine Morning Star

Published: January 21, 2026

Words: 736

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 4 days ago

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Dozens of direct care workers on Tuesday testified in support of a new bipartisan proposal to help raise chronically low wages, allowing more people to stay in the profession that is in dire need of more qualified staff.

Direct care workers assist older adults and people with disabilities with a wide range of daily tasks, from dressing, bathing and eating to keeping track of medication and maintaining their community connections. But Maine, with its significant …

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