The state’s SPARK Executive Committee is following through with plans to have $50 million available for hospitals to improve premium pay or help retain support staff.
The committee voted Friday to approve a recommendation made recently. The money comes from the state’s COVID relief fund through the CARES Act from last year, and Friday’s decision is designed to offer immediate support to hospitals in part by offsetting staff shortages, specifically in nursing. Premium pay can be increased by as much as $13 an hour and hospitals also have the option of funding programs to retain nurses or other support staff if those programs meet criteria set out through the American Rescue Plan Act.
The SPARK committee passed the plan over the objections of state Republicans, including Kansas Senate Majority Leader Ty Masterson, who said the money should be withheld from hospitals using vaccine mandates for their staff.
