Brief Description: Facilitating collaboration among health care work force stakeholders to address the health care personnel shortage.

Sponsors: Representatives Schual-Berke, Conway, Cox, Cody, Kenney, Pflug, Clements, O'Brien, Chase, Morrell, Veloria and Skinner.

Hearing Date: 2/26/03

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Health Personnel Resource Plan (HPRP): In 1991 the Legislature directed six state education and health agencies to develop a biennial plan for identifying shortages in health personnel and design and implement activities intended to remedy those shortages. The legislation detailed numerous components expected in the plan, including assessment of future health care training needs; data on the number, type, and location of health personnel in the state; and strategies for providing necessary training and education for health personnel. Each higher education institution was expected to develop institution-level plans for curriculum, programs, and internship and residency opportunities to address the needs identified in the state plan.

Approximately $600,000 per biennium was provided to the Department of Health to oversee the HPRP from 1991-93 through 1995-97. Funding for the HPRP was eliminated in 1997-99 and, although references to the plan remain in statute, the planning has been discontinued.

Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force (Task Force): In 2002 four legislators requested that the WTECB convene a task force of labor, business, education, and health care leaders to address the health care personnel shortage in Washington. In January 2003 the Task Force reported back to the Legislature with a state strategic plan built on six goals and accompanying recommendations for action. The sixth goal was to "develop a mechanism to ensure continued collaboration among stakeholders, track progress, create accountability for fulfilling this plan, and to plan for future health workforce needs."

Summary of Bill:

The WTECB is directed to facilitate ongoing collaboration among stakeholders to address the health care personnel shortage. The stakeholders will establish and maintain a state strategic plan for ensuring an adequate supply of personnel. They will also develop and implement a workforce data collection and analysis system to assess workforce supply and demand. Reports are due to the Governor and Legislature by December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2006 on the progress of the plan, along with any additional recommendations.

Statutes creating and referencing a previous plan (the HPRP) are repealed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.