Texas lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow some out-of-state health care professionals to practice in the Lone Star State, in an attempt to fix the ongoing shortage of workers in the sector.
Bills for Texas to join existing interstate compacts—which allow some workers to get a multistate license that authorizes them to practice out of their state—have already been filed for three professions, the Texas Tribune reported on Thursday.
Why It Matters
The nation is struggling with an ongoing shortage of health care workers as a result of growing demand caused by the aging population. As baby boomers, the second-largest population in the U.S. after millennials, grow old, the gap between demand and supply is only going to get wider. Consulting firm Mercer published a study last year saying it expects a deficit of more than 100,000 health care workers in the U.S. by 2028.
In Texas, the shortage of health care workers is particularly acute, especially in some professions and rural areas. This is due in part to the state’s population growth in recent years, which has put a strain on the already-limited workforce. Health care workers have also reported challenging working conditions in the state, including long hours and relatively low wages compared to other states.
Source: How Texas Could Solve Its Health Care Worker Crisis / Newsweek