Governor creates panel to address health care work force shortage

ATLANTA — Gov. Brian Kemp has issued an executive order creating a task force to look for ways to grow the ranks of Georgia’s health care work force.

The 15-member Healthcare Workforce Commission will focus on shortages plaguing a wide range of health care professions including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists and emergency medical personnel.

Kemp’s executive order cites the pandemic as a contributor to a health care work force shortage that existed before COVID-19 struck two years ago.

“Our health care heroes have been through it all during the pandemic, and we thank them immensely for the sacrifices made and dedication shown,” the governor said. “To ensure the future health of Georgians and Georgia’s health care system, it is imperative for the public and private sector to come together and examine current needs and identify strategies for work force recruitment and retention.”

Shortages among Georgia’s health care work force have long been on the radar screens of state policymakers. Most recently, the mental health system overhaul the General Assembly passed unanimously late last month includes a service-cancelable loan program offering loan forgiveness to several types of mental health specialists.

The new commission will work to develop strategies for retaining the state’s current health care workers as well as expanding education initiatives — including scholarship and loan forgiveness programs — to build up the pipeline that feeds new workers into the system.

The panel will be chaired by the commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health and include representatives of doctors, nurses, emergency medical responders, mental health care workers, long-term care workers, health care educators and the hospital industry.

The executive order calls for the commission to issue recommendations by the end of December.

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