The Direct CARE Opportunity Act, created to help meet the growing demand for direct care workers, improve working conditions, and support seniors and people with disabilities, was introduced back into the U.S House Committee on Education and the Workforce on July 18, 2023 by Representatives Bobby Scott (Va.) and Susan Wild (Pa.).

The legislation invests more than $1.8 billion over five years in training and increasing opportunities for direct care workers nationwide.

In a statement on his website, Rep. Scott writes that “between 2020 and 2030, the direct care workforce is projected to add more than 1.2 million new jobs. Unfortunately, despite this growing demand, direct care workers continue to earn low wages and experience unstable working conditions. The current median wage for direct care workers is $14 an hour and the rate of injury among direct care workers is nearly eight times higher than other professions.

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