 |
Public policy solutions to the shortage are critical because
a problem of such magnitude requires a government-coordinated
response. Political leadership is particularly important because
of the key roles that governments play. Whether licensing
health professionals, providing funding for health education,
acting as the largest payer of health services, or simply
acting on the need to ensure access to health care for residents,
government has a substantial stake in keeping the health care
system healthy.
State legislators, in particular, should take the lead by
supporting the creation of a State Health Care Workforce Commission
that can provide the long-term commitment and large-scale
view necessary to find real solutions to the shortage. Federal
and state lawmakers can also ensure that adequate data on
the personnel shortage are collected. Lawmakers should expand
opportunities for health professional education. Finally,
lawmakers must support initiatives that establish a rational
relationship between the payments hospitals receive and the
services they provide.
|
