Editor's note: A previous version of this story misspelled State Rep. Ken Fleming's name. The error has been corrected.
Also, the previous version stated Dr. Aaron Thompson was an employee of the Kentucky Department of Education. He is actually the president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. (Feb. 9, 2023)
FRANKFORT, Ky. — We are getting a deeper look into potential solutions for Kentucky’s health care worker shortage. It’s an issue state lawmakers have been aware of for quite a while now.
One of those state lawmakers is championing a bill he says will help address the problem in our state.
On Wednesday, Republican State Rep. Ken Fleming, (R-Louisville), stood in Frankfort with leaders of several health-related organizations and education organizations in the state to introduce House Bill 200. Fleming, who is a co-sponsor of the bill, calls this an unprecedented approach to addressing Kentucky’s health care worker shortage.
He said Kentucky has an ongoing health care workforce crisis. He says that’s growing and adds a burden on families and providers. It might also jeopardize the availability of critical health services. He says they’ve heard over and over that education and opportunity are the keys to address this shortage. Fleming says, simply put, the bill kick-starts career paths for all Kentuckians interested in a health care career. In his words, the bill “puts a jet-pack on the health care training pipeline.”
Fleming explained, “House bill 200 creates a public and private partnership that establishes the health care workforce investment fund that has two buckets and will be administered by the Council on Postsecondary Education. First, at least 65% of the funds will be used to encourage healthcare partners to partner with educational programs to pledge funds matching dollar-for-dollar, to establish scholarships to health care education.”
Dr. Aaron Thompson, president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, explained “I can tell you the need is so severe, that without us having this sort of innovative partnership, this sort of innovative bill, I don’t think we could even come close to getting where we need to go. This bill speaks directly to the needs of employers, keeping hospitals and clinics open.”
Jennifer Wiseman, of the Kentucky Nurses’ Association, explained details about the bill.
“It intends to help many entry-level, entry to workforce areas that are currently feeling the strain of shortages. With regards to nursing, this legislation will help decrease financial barriers that are currently preventing qualified individuals from entering the nursing workforce pipeline.”
Fleming said the other “bucket,” which is up to 35% of the funds, will be used for incentives for universities and training centers to invest in building up faculty and provide equipment and other assets.
He said the bill also addresses the underserved geographical regions and underserved professional disciplines.