Winchester State Senator and physician Ralph Alvarado is giving Governor Beshear’s $400 million COVID bonus proposal a cool reception. The governor Monday said he would be forwarding to lawmakers a plan to use American Rescue dollars to spread bonuses among essential workers. Beshear suggested workers in a variety of jobs be eligible after working two years of the pandemic. Alvarado said better pay for nurses is needed now. “Typically I think what is more appealing to most people is to have a higher current wage or to have a sign on bonus, given it’s a promissory note that gets forgiven after you’ve completed a certain period of time, other than saying keep working and I’ll promise I’ll give you something on the back end,” said Alvarado.
Alvarado noted medical provider burnout is a serious concern. He added the loss of COVID patients, including those well under 50, causes a lot of emotional trauma. The GOP senator is not sure how consideration of this proposal will play out in the legislature.
Alvarado said he’s glad the governor has “come around” to putting additional money into caregiver retention and recruitment. The state senator said communication between legislative leaders and the governor remains difficult.
