Hochul launches healthcare worker bonus program

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Health care workers in New York can get thousands of dollars in bonuses under a new state program.

The Health Care and Mental Hygiene Worker Bonus Program is aimed at increasing the workforce by 20% over five years.

Gov. Hochul announced the program as the pandemic exacerbated the national nursing shortage and COVID burnouts.

The program is included in the budget enacted in April. It allocates $1.3 billion for worker retention bonuses to address staffing shortages.

Bonuses for employees will be determined by hours worked during a consecutive six-month period from October 1, 2021 through March 2024.

A qualified employee can receive up to a maximum of $3,000.