States could have a new federal pipeline for workforce development dollars under recently introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at addressing nursing shortages.
US Reps. James Comer (R-KY) and Morgan McGarvey (D-NY) introduced the Health Care Workforce Investment Act (HR 9812), which would fund grants through the US Department of Health and Human Services to create State Health Care Workforce Improvement Plans.
The legislation does not specifically mention the extreme staffing challenges the long-term care sector faces, but the nation’s largest provider advocates both commended the legislation in emails to McKnight’s Long-Term Care News on Thursday.
“Workforce challenges are a long-standing issue in aging services that, due to demographic shifts and the pandemic’s impact, are intensifying,” said Nicole Howell, director of workforce for LeadingAge. “Recruiting, developing, and retaining a robust and thriving workforce is our members’ most pressing issue. We welcome policymakers’ interest in and commitment to meaningful action to ensure America’s older adults and families can receive quality care wherever they call home and look forward to working with members of Congress on this legislation.”
Rachel Reeves, spokeswoman for the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, said the legislation would support the development of “critical roles within our healthcare system.”
“This bill emphasizes two critically important things for the future of our country’s healthcare workforce: funding and collaboration,” she said. “It’s confirmation that Congress does recognize our nation’s workforce shortage — and yet, there’s more to be done to specifically develop nurses, nurse aides and other roles critical to long-term care to ensure access to care for our nation’s seniors is protected.”
The legislative text does not specify how much funding will be made available. States can use up to 50% of their appropriated match to the Medicare Improvement Fund, but total funding cannot exceed 25% of the annual appropriation for the Nurse Corps Scholarship Program and the Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program. The legislation also creates oversight mechanisms called the State Health Care Workforce Council, which can be an existing state-level entity or agency.
The state council can award up to two scholarships – each one year in length – to individuals enrolled in qualified, healthcare programs. Scholarship recipients must commit to working for at least one year in that state or they must repay the funds.
