Workforce
With a population growing more than twice as fast as the national average – and people living longer and experiencing more chronic illness – the demand for health care has never been greater. Yet despite additional allocations by the Texas Legislature in recent years, Texas still faces a chronic shortage of registered nurses. In addition, hospitals often have difficulty recruiting other health care professionals such as pharmacists and therapists. In addition, most recent reports show Texas ranking 45th in the nation in the number of physicians per population.
Addressing the health care workforce in Texas is a top priority for the Texas Hospital Association. THA also tracks related state and federal legislative and regulatory activity to keep members informed.
AlertsNone at this time. LegislationTestimony for Senate Finance Committee re: Impact of Funding for Nursing Education (Aug. 4, 2010) One of the most significant new laws is Senate Bill 476, which places existing flexible nurse staffing requirements in the hospital licensing rules into statute. The intent of the law is to protect patients, support greater retention of registered nurses and promote adequate nurse staffing. EducationNone at this time. |
ResourcesJoint THA-TNA letter on SB 794 Tobacco Funds to Local and Consent Calendar, May 18, 2011 Workforce 2015: Strategy Trumps Shortage (American Hospital Association)
Texas Nursing Workforce Shortage Coalition - in 2009, it was successful in gaining broad support for legislative action to address the nursing shortage. Texas Center for Nursing Workforce Studies
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