Cornell Researchers Studied Home Care Working Conditions

A new report examines financial struggles and payroll issues within private-equity-backed home care agencies.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Employment

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of brass keys on a flat surface, navy and cream colors, representing labor conditions in home care. — Cornell University researchers have released a study documenting widespread payroll irregularities and financial hardships among staff at private-equity-backed home care agencies in New York. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Cornell University researchers released a study documenting working conditions at five private-equity-owned home care agencies in New York. The findings highlight significant payroll concerns and financial hardships reported by frontline staff.

Why it matters

The report sheds light on the influence of private equity in the home care sector, where workers report being forced to cover essential client-related expenses with personal funds.

Researchers gathered data from 40 interviews conducted between April 2025 and March 2026. The study found that private-equity-backed agencies accounted for 7.6% of all Medicaid home care revenue in 2022.

The players

Cornell University

This Ivy League research institution conducted the study through its Worker Institute.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

This national philanthropy organization provided the funding support for the research project.

The details

Workers interviewed for the study described systemic payroll errors and the omission of promised supplemental pay. In addition to wage concerns, staff reported using their own money to fund transportation for their clients.

In 2022, private-equity-backed agencies received 7.6% of Medicaid home care revenue.
The study period for worker interviews and wage reports spanned from April 2025 through March 2026.
Cornell University released the Worker Institute report on October 6, 2026.

Macro View

The report reflects a growing trend of private equity oversight in essential healthcare services, mirroring shifts seen in other sectors of the economy. This research offers a localized look at how administrative changes affect labor stability compared to historical benchmarks.

These findings point to potential wage instability and unexpected out-of-pocket costs for home care workers across the state. The report suggests that employees in this sector may face budget pressures due to irregular payroll practices and uncompensated job expenses.

The takeaway

The study highlights a disconnect between corporate management models and the daily operational realities of home care workers. Implementing stronger payroll oversight could help protect staff from absorbing essential service costs.