LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced a temporary, $2-per-hour pay raise for direct care workers providing Medicaid-funded in-home behavioral health and long-term care services to Michigan’s most vulnerable residents during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has never been more important to care for our most vulnerable residents, and these direct care health workers are risking their lives every day to make sure we continue to flatten the curve,” Governor Whitmer said.

“It is our duty as Michiganders to ensure these front-line heroes have the financial support they need to continue doing their critical work while caring for themselves and their families,” Gov. Whitmer continues.

The pay increase for direct health care workers follows Governor Whitmer’s executive order streamlining health care reporting to better identify where outbreaks are occurring in long-term care facilities to provide help and resources where they are needed most to keep residents and workers safe.

The program will apply to services provided between April and June.