Altoona Times

The Pennsylvania Senate has passed a bill introduced by Senators Judy Ward and Maria Collett, aimed at improving services in long-term care facilities across the state. The legislation now awaits the signature of Governor Josh Shapiro to become law.

Senator Ward commented on the bill's passage, stating, “Today’s passage of this critical legislation means that long-term care facilities will have greater flexibility in how to staff their operations, enabling them to better care for their residents.” She highlighted the creation of a certified medication aide position as a step forward in addressing staffing needs and enhancing career opportunities for certified nurse aides.

Senator Collett expressed her support, saying, “As we continue efforts to reduce health care staffing gaps, we must ensure the dedicated workers we do have are empowered to provide the highest level of care possible." She described Senate Bill 668 as "a victory for Pennsylvania’s long-term care residents and the staff who work most closely with them."

The proposed legislation addresses a workforce shortage in Pennsylvania's nursing homes that predates the COVID-19 pandemic but has intensified due to professional burnout. It allows certified nurse aides (CNAs) to train as certified medication aides (CMAs), enabling them to administer certain medications under supervision. Currently, only registered nurses and licensed practical nurses can perform these tasks.

Under the new program established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, CNAs would undergo at least 80 hours of classroom instruction plus 20 hours of skills demonstration. Successful candidates would be registered as CMAs and authorized to deliver prescribed medications in healthcare settings. This certification would require renewal every two years.

For updates on this and other legislative matters, residents can follow Senator Ward on social media or visit her website for more information.