Article Summary –
Wisconsin Democratic Governor Tony Evers has signed an executive order to create a task force addressing the challenges faced by healthcare workers. Led by Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, the task force will study workforce problems in healthcare, including recruitment and retention, patient care, worker issues, and training, and create an action plan for the 2025-27 biennial budget. This is part of Evers’ 2024 Year of the Worker agenda, which addresses struggling sectors, invests in education and child care, and includes piloting a teacher apprenticeship program and establishing an Office of Employee Engagement and Retention.
Wisconsin Governor Launches Health Worker Task Force
Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin has initiated a task force to address health care worker challenges. The Democratic governor signed an executive order on Monday, kickstarting his 2024 ‘Year of the Worker’ agenda. The aim is to support struggling sectors and invest in education and child care.
Focused on Healthcare Workforce Challenges
The task force will focus on healthcare workforce challenges such as recruitment, retention, and improving patient care. Additionally, it will devise ways to educate and train workers for a sustainable workforce. The action plan will influence the 2025-27 biennial budget.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez to Lead the Task Force
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a nurse and health care professional, will lead the task force. In a statement, she pledged to find strategic solutions to address the workforce crisis.
Wisconsin Facing Nurse Shortage
Evers highlighted in his State of the State speech that Wisconsin is at risk of losing 20,000 nurses by 2040. He also anticipates nearly 32,000 job openings in the healthcare sector this decade.
New Workforce Initiatives
Evers’ workforce initiative includes plans for the State’s first teacher apprenticeship program and an Office of Employee Engagement and Retention. He also aims to invest more in the struggling child care sector, expand paid family leave, and boost public education.
Calls for Accessible Child Care and Paid Family Leave
Democratic state Sen. LaTonya Johnson emphasized the need for accessible, affordable child care and paid family leave to maintain a competitive workforce.
Evers Criticizes Opposition
Evers criticized Republicans in the State Legislature for voting against his previous workforce and child care investment plans. He called for continued support for Child Care Counts and for providing 12 weeks of paid leave to most private employees.
Seeking Bipartisan Support
Gov. Evers urged all parties to unite in tackling the workforce issue and was ready to work with any legislator or stakeholder willing to “engage in meaningful conversations on these issues”.
Republican Criticism
Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos criticized Evers’ plan. In a report by the Wisconsin Examiner, Vos called it a “rehashing of old things”. Despite this, Wisconsin finished 2023 with a record number of nonfarm jobs created in November and a 3.3% unemployment rate.
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