Hochul administration delays pro-union home care system rollout

The Hochul administration has delayed the rollout of a pro-union overhaul of New York's home care system. This change comes after a chaotic implementation, which one insider described as a "s--t show." Governor Kathy Hochul is set to release a new plan just days before an April 1 deadline. This deadline affects over 280,000 home care recipients who need to switch to a new payment processing company. The Department of Health has indicated it will provide more time for consumers and workers who need extra help during this transition. Public Partnerships LLC (PPL) was chosen by Hochul to manage payroll services for home care workers. This decision is supported by a powerful health care union aiming to increase its membership through the unionization of workers. However, a whistleblower has raised serious concerns about PPL's ability to handle the expected volume of calls and issues. They reported that many callers are on hold for long periods, and thousands of calls are being abandoned each day. Recently, approximately 200,000 consumers have started the transition, but many others are still waiting. Some are missing important documents needed to complete their registration with PPL. Critics say significant problems have arisen, including a lack of necessary approvals for timecards, putting the system at risk for fraud. On April 1, thousands of home care workers who do not complete their transition could be forced into hospitals or nursing homes. The health care union, 1199SEIU, has joined others in calling for more time to ensure a smooth transition. Union President George Gresham highlighted the urgency of the situation, especially for workers expecting timely payment. Several lawmakers have expressed doubts about the administration's capability to manage the overhaul smoothly, saying the situation has proven their concerns were justified.