Report details recommendations to address challenges facing the state’s healthcare workforce

Gov. Tony Evers announced today the Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce has released its final report and advisory action plan providing solutions to address the state’s longstanding healthcare workforce shortages that have plagued the state for years.

The Task Force was charged with studying the workforce challenges facing the state’s healthcare system, including recruitment and retention, identifying ways to improve patient care and alleviate the burdens on the healthcare workforce, exploring educational and training pathways to grow a sustainable healthcare workforce, and creating an action plan with solutions related to workforce development, industry innovation, education, and training for consideration in the governor’s 2025-27 executive budget.

The 25-member force met six times since March to hear from healthcare industry experts and leaders, analyze labor market data, and produce an advisory action plan for Gov. Evers’ review and consideration. As a result of those meetings, the Task Force adopted 10 recommendations with 26 action items representing a variety of policies and programs to address various industry issues, including education, training, recruitment, and retention of healthcare workers. The action plan represents a strategic set of policy and implementation approaches targeting the healthcare industry’s chronic challenges.

The plan:

·        Presents a comprehensive analysis of current and future workforce challenges impacting the healthcare sector;

·        Explores educational and training pathways to create a more diverse, equitable, and sustainable workforce;

·        Identifies strategies to improve patient care and alleviate the burden on our healthcare workforce; and

·        Recommends solutions, including new policies and programs, modifications to existing programs, and necessary changes to state statutes. 

Solutions address three broad categories, including education and training, recruitment and retention, and regulatory policy, including:

Education and training

·        Support faculty who teach healthcare professions through increased compensation and incentives;

·        Expand access to clinical training and hands-on experiences;

·        Break down barriers by funding wraparound services for students, including transportation and child care; and

·        Sustain and expand training programs for direct care professionals and certified nurse aides.

Recruitment and retention

·        Adopt Medicaid Expansion to support healthcare workers and fund workforce initiatives;

·        Increase rates for home and community-based services and behavioral health providers;

·        Continue and create grant funding for innovative programs and trainings to support employers; and

·        Ensure healthcare workers are able to navigate insurance benefits options.

Regulatory policy

·        Authorize Medicaid to pay for community-focused services, such as those provided by doulas and community health workers;

·        Support pathways to licensure for qualified internationally educated professionals;

·        Enter into multi-state licensing compacts, allowing professionals to practice in other participating states; and

·        Fund and grow healthcare workforce wellness programming to support retention.