The Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of HHS, announced it will award $100 million to organizations including medical schools and state health departments to address healthcare workforce shortages, according to a Sept. 17 news release from HHS.
With a shortage of 100,000 healthcare workers expected nationwide by 2028, some health systems have focused on nurse faculty shortages, such as New Bedford, Mass.-based Southcoast Health. Faculty shortages have led to a limited number of students accepted into some programs.
Others have addressed nursing shortages through technology, such as Omaha, Neb.-based CHI Health and Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health's virtual nursing program, which pairs bedside nurses with virtual nurses who can review charts and process discharges, allowing in-person nurses more time to provide hands-on care.
HHS said more than $19 million will go to five organizations over the next four years to boost the nursing workforce in underserved areas.
Recipients in underserved areas are:
- Portland-based Oregon Health & Science University
- Stockton, Calif.-based University of Pacific
- Flint-based Regents of the University of Michigan
- Macon-based Technical System College of Georgia
- Griffin, Ga.-based Southern Crescent Technical College
Nearly $12 million will fund medical education for three medical schools in areas of undermet physician workforce needs, according to HHS.
The recipient schools are:
- Phoenix-based University of Arizona
- Stratford, N.J.-based Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine
- Las Vegas-based Board of Regents of Nevada System of Higher Education
More than $63 million will be distributed among 32 institutional recipients over four years to aid families affected by opioid use disorders.
The remaining funding will provide more than $4 million to 27 institutions to broaden access to pediatric behavioral care.