The state can provide innovative leadership for solving the health care personnel shortage by creating a Health Care Workforce Commission. The commission should be tasked with developing a state strategic plan for ensuring an adequate supply of health personnel and safeguarding the ability of the delivery system to provide quality, accessible health care to the people of our state. Commission members should represent hospitals, physicians, long-term care facilities and other health personnel employers, professional health care organizations, organized labor, business, education, and the legislative and executive branches of state government. The goals of the commission should include a complete analysis of and action on many aspects of health care workforce development. High priority goals addressed in the commission’s strategic plan should include:

• Strengthening the capacity of health professions training programs to prepare students to meet the increasing need for health care workers.
  
  
• Studying ways to improve the image of the health professions and improve recruitment of and support for students interested in them.
  
  
• Streamlining entry-to-practice regulations for in state, out of state, and foreign health professionals.
  
  
• Modifying regulations that hinder the most efficient use of health care personnel and prevent stimulating and rewarding practice environments.
  
  
• Investigating ways to engage people transitioning from welfare to work and other currently unemployed workers in the health services industry.