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Texas nurses supersizing salaries for more money at McDonald’s

TEXAS (KXAN) – Some nurses and staff are quitting their jobs at Texas nursing homes for more money working at McDonald’s.

Advocates say it is a trend they are seeing state-wide causing a nursing shortage at long-term facilities. The Housing Appropriations Committee has been listening to advocates about the growing problem.

Texas has one of the lowest Medicaid reimbursement rates, which makes it difficult for nursing homes and service providers to offer competitive wages.

“You know, you can start off at McDonald’s at $13-$14 an hour in some cases, you could certainly find easier jobs for more money and that’s a real problem when you’re trying to keep good people in your facilities,” said Scott Kibbe with the Texas Health Care Association.

Many say the state needs to boost funding and raise the reimbursement rate so facilities can build up their work force to prepare to care for the aging population.