Health insurance coverage of direct support workers in the developmental disabilities field.

There is mounting evidence that employer-provided health insurance is an important factor in recruiting and retaining a competent and motivated direct support workforce within health and human services occupations. A review of the literature in this area, including new information related to the developmental disabilities field, is presented to assist nonprofit employers and government officials in designing initiatives to address increasing health care costs. Approaches to financing health coverage for frontline staff and a new program in New York that will provide subsidies to agencies to enhance existing coverage are discussed.