State lawmakers heard the cry from poorly paid nursing home workers and issued a spending plan Wednesday that includes millions of dollars for boosting compensation.

The proposed budget from the state House of Representatives stipulates that “not less than $35.5 million’’ be spent on “wages, benefits, and related employee costs of direct care staff’’ in the state’s 400-plus nursing homes.

Advocates applauded the mandate that money be spent on workers. The budget proposed by Governor Charlie Bakerdid not stipulate that money given to nursing homes be dedicated to workers’ pay.

That prompted leaders from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the workers’ labor union, to lobby for specific language tying new money to wage increases.

“Many of these hard-working men and women have spent years providing quality health care at nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, and assisted living residences while struggling to make ends meet,’’ said Tyrék D. Lee Sr., the union’s executive vice president.

The union, he said, is thankful House leaders “recognized that nursing care workers deserve a living wage for the great care they deliver every day.’’

The House plan directs the state Medicaid office, known as MassHealth, to prepare by Jan. 30 an analysis of the impact of the new wages.

Advocates and nursing home industry leaders said they are sorting out details of the complex spending plan. Massachusetts Senior Care Association, a trade group, had urged lawmakers to earmark $90 million for workers’ pay. As part of the industry proposal, nursing home owners could have received as much as $12 million they say is owed them from an arcane taxing formula. The House doesn’t stipulate an amount to be paid to owners.

Ned Morse, the association’s president, thanked House leaders for the $35.5 million worker pay package and said in a statement it is “an important step in the right direction.’’

Kay Lazar can be reached at Kay.Lazar@globe.com.