SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1852

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Health & Long-Term Care, April 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to facilitating collaboration among health care work force stakeholders to address the health care personnel shortage.

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

Sponsors: House Committee on Higher Education (originally sponsored by Representatives Schual-Berke, Conway, Cox, Cody, Kenney, Pflug, Clements, O'Brien, Chase, Morrell, Veloria and Skinner).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Health & Long-Term Care: 3/27/03, 4/3/03 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & LONG-TERM CARE

Majority Report: Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Winsley, Vice Chair; Brandland, Franklin, Keiser and Parlette.

Staff: Tanya Karwaki (786-7447)

Background: In 2002, the Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force examined the extent of Washington's health care personnel shortage and developed recommendations for addressing the shortage of health care workers. 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. One of the goals 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 Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board is required to facilitate ongoing collaboration among stakeholders to address the health care personnel shortage and establish and maintain a state strategic plan for ensuring an adequate supply of personnel. By December 31, 2003, and annually thereafter, the board must report to the Governor and Legislature on the progress of the plan.

Statutes creating and referencing the health personnel resource plan (a biennial plan for identifying shortages in health personnel and designing and implementing activities to remedy those shortages) are repealed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Prior to the work of the Health Care Personnel Shortage Task Force, efforts to address the shortage were fragmented. A coordinated and collaborative process is needed. This adds a level of accountability for a plan that is already established.

Testimony Against: None.

Testified: Representative Schual-Berke, prime sponsor; Madeleine Thompson, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board (pro); Ellie Menzies, SEIU (pro).