by WRGB staff

CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — Thousands of healthcare workers will call on the governor and state lawmakers to pass real nursing home reform.

Members of 1199SEIU Healthcare Worker East will take part in a Day of Action at more than 200 nursing homes across New York state, including The Grand at Guilderland Center in Altamont, Baptist Nursing Home in Scotia, Shaker Place in Albany, Rosewood Gardens in Rensselaer, and Glens Falls Center in Glens Falls.

The workers are calling for reform that ensured nursing home invest in care for their residents rather than in profits.

Last week, the State Assembly passed a series of bills focused on improving transparency and accountability in nursing homes, including one requiring that operators invest a minimum of 70% of their overall revenue on resident care, including 40% on staffing, and another preventing owners with poor track records from purchasing additional homes.

The State Senate has advanced similar legislation, and Governor Cuomo included nursing home reform policies in his 2021 budget proposal.