Texas as a Welfare State

Texas is pathetic. Texas nursing homes are the worst. Short-staffed, poorly trained, and mismanaged. Now, they need another bailout from the federal government. Texas is asking for $400 million more in federal coronavirus relief to address a staffing crisis. However, Texas already has $16.7 billion in American Rescue Plan Act money. Texas is now a welfare state.

The industry struggles with safe staffing because of burnout, no benefits, hostile unsafe work environments, and low pay or lack of competitive wages. Staffing shortages mean more abuse and neglect; higher costs for overtime; and higher turnover from burnout.

Texas nursing homes has a high death rate among the older population and killed 10% of the state’s nursing home residents in its first year. Because 40% of the state’s 100,000 nursing home employees refuse safe and effective vaccinations against COVID-19, abuse and neglect are rampant in Texas. Hopefully, these unsafe caregivers will not place residents at risk of death for their own ignorance.