Nixon Vetos Bill That Blocks Wage Increase For Home Health Care Workers

Governor Jay Nixon vetoed a senate resolution Friday blocking a wage increase for at-home health care attendants. That resolution would disapprove a rule proposed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services setting a new pay range for the attendants. At-home attendants care for elderly and physically disabled Missourians and are paid with funds from Medicaid. The Missouri House of Representatives rejected the wage increase rule earlier in February. The current minimum wage is $7.65 an hour. The wage increase rule would establish a new range from $8.50 to $10.15 an hour. Nixon said in a statement Friday that “by disapproving this rule, the General Assembly defies the will of voters and denies these personal care attendants a much-deserved increase in their wages.”