On Thursday, members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions held a subcommittee hearing to address the dire shortage of health care workers in the U.S.
The hearing, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), addressed labor shortages in primary care, behavioral health and more. Lawmakers, however, stopped short of mentioning one of the largest labor gaps that needs to be addressed: the home-based care workforce.
“It is no secret that our country faces many health care crises,” Sanders said during the hearing. “And in the midst of all of those [issues], for whatever reason, our nation … does not have enough doctors, nurses, dentists and other medical professionals. Why that is, I’m not sure.”
The lack of qualified professionals in all health care spaces, especially in rural areas, is undoubtedly noteworthy. But the sheer number of home health aides, caregivers, nurses, therapists and other professionals with home-based care expertise needed to meet consumer demand over the next 10 years is especially startling.
By the end of the decade, 1.3 million new workers will be needed in the direct care workforce alone, for example. An additional 6.2 million workers will be needed to fill slots that have been left vacant by retirees or those that have died, according to a recent report from PHI.
In home care specifically, 4.5 million more workers will be needed as the U.S. population ages and aging-in-place demand increases.
The lack of qualified professionals in all health care spaces, especially in rural areas, is undoubtedly noteworthy. But the sheer number of home health aides, caregivers, nurses, therapists and other professionals with home-based care expertise needed to meet consumer demand over the next 10 years is especially startling.
By the end of the decade, 1.3 million new workers will be needed in the direct care workforce alone, for example. An additional 6.2 million workers will be needed to fill slots that have been left vacant by retirees or those that have died, according to a recent report from PHI.
In home care specifically, 4.5 million more workers will be needed as the U.S. population ages and aging-in-place demand increases.
This article was written by Andrew Donlan on May 20th, 2021 and can be found here. Please be sure to visit HomeHealthCareNews.com for more articles written by Andrew and other quality contributors.