Governor Evers announces release of full Health Care Workforce Task Force report

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Governor Tony Evers announced today that the Governor's Task Force on Health Care Workforce has released its final report and advisory action plan, offering solutions to the long-standing health care workforce shortage that has plagued the state for years.

“Wisconsin has historically low unemployment and a record number of Wisconsin employees, but Wisconsin's decades-long struggle to retain, attract and train talented workers to address our workforce shortages in key industries continues to hold our state back,” said Governor Evers. “This action plan will help bring more people into the health care profession and ensure Wisconsinites get the care they need and the quality of life they deserve. So I want to thank the Task Force for their dedication and commitment to finding meaningful and actionable solutions that will lead us into the future.”

“Ensuring our workforce is prepared for the demands of a 21st century economy is a top priority for me and must be a top priority for our state, including the State Legislature, and I look forward to working with you and considering these recommendations in the next biennial budget,” concluded Governor Evers.

As previously announced in his 2024 State of the State address when he declared 2024 the Year of the Worker, Governor Evers established the Governor's Task Force on the Health Care Workforce in January by signing Executive Order No. 220. The Task Force was charged with examining the state's health care system's workforce challenges, including recruitment and retention, finding ways to improve patient care and reduce the burden on the health care workforce, exploring education and training pathways to build a sustainable health care workforce, and developing an action plan with solutions related to workforce development, industry innovation, education and training for consideration in the Governor's 2025-27 budget.

The 25-member Task Force has met six times since March to hear from healthcare industry experts and leaders, analyze labor market data, and develop an action plan for Governor Evers' review and consideration. As a result of these meetings, the Task Force adopted 10 recommendations with 26 action points that represent 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 policies and implementation approaches aimed at addressing the chronic challenges facing the healthcare industry.

“As a nurse and public health professional, I have seen firsthand the challenges facing our nurses, physicians and other health care workers,” said Lt. Governor Sara Rodriguez. “That's why it has been a top priority for both Governor Evers and our entire state to ensure our health care workforce has the resources, support and talented professionals needed to meet our future needs and the needs of our state's aging population.”

“The health care workforce is the foundation of our ability to provide high-quality care. And like many other states, that workforce is in crisis with high burnout rates that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. We must immediately step up to our workforce with actionable steps,” said Kirsten Johnson, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “The task force's recommendations do just that, ensuring Wisconsin residents have access to care when they need it and can live their best lives.”

“We know that without action, workforce shortages combined with an aging population will create a bleak future for one of our most important industries: a potential deficit of 12,000 to 19,000 registered nurses by 2040 and nearly 32,000 healthcare job openings between now and 2030,” said Amy Pechacek, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. “The task force's recommendations will ensure Wisconsin is prepared for the demands of a 21st century economy.”

The plan:

• Provides a comprehensive analysis of current and future challenges facing the healthcare workforce;
• Explores education and training pathways to create a more diverse, equitable and sustainable workforce;
• Identifies strategies to improve patient care and reduce the burden on our healthcare staff.
• Recommends solutions, including new policies and programs, modifications to existing programs, and necessary changes to state laws.

The solutions cover three broad categories: training and development, recruitment and retention, and regulatory policy. These include:education and training

• Support faculty members who teach health professions through increased compensation and incentives;
• Expand access to clinical training and practical experience;
• Reducing barriers by funding comprehensive student services, including transportation and childcare; and
• Maintain and expand training programs for nurses and certified nursing assistants.

Recruitment and retention

• Adopt a Medicaid expansion to support health care workers and fund labor market initiatives.
• Increasing rates for home and community-based services and mental health providers;
• Continuing and creating grants for innovative programs and training to support employers; and
• Make sure healthcare workers are aware of the various insurance benefit options.

Regulatory policy

• Authorizing Medicaid to pay for community-based services such as those provided by doulas and community health workers;
• Supporting pathways to admission for qualified professionals with international training;
• Entering into multi-state licensing agreements that allow professionals to practice in other participating states; and
• Fund and expand health programs for healthcare workers to promote employee retention.

Read the full Advisory Action Plan from the Governor's Task Force on the Health Care Workforce and learn more about the work of the Governor's Task Force on the Health Care Workforce on the DHS website.

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