Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry is struggling to find — and retain — workers. In November, groups from the healthcare industry testified in front of the House Health Care Committee, sharing a number of issues that the field is currently facing: An already-existing workforce shortage increased in magnitude due to a global pandemic.
While some feel burned out after being overworked and aren’t looking for extra hours, others are unable to go to work due to the high cost of childcare. Long-term care facilities are struggling to stay open despite low numbers of qualified staff.
Libby Batlan is the senior vice president of government relations for the Oregon Health Care Association, Oregon’s largest long-term care trade association. Batlan presented a number of recommendations to lawmakers, including tuition assistance for those in training, student loan forgiveness programs, and more affordable childcare.
It might seem like an obvious solution to simply pay workers more. Heather Jefferis, the executive director of the Oregon Council for Behavioral Health, explains how the system is more complex than it may appear. Long-term care facilities experience low reimbursement rates from insurance programs such as Medicaid, putting them in a position where they cannot afford to pay workers more.
Registered Nurse Matthew Calzia, who spoke to The Lund Report for the Oregon Nurses Association, advocated for ways of caring for nurses on the job. Among his suggestions were to make sure that nurses could take sufficient breaks, and that they have access to mental health services.
Rep. Rachel Prusak, D-Tualatin/West Linn, who is also a nurse practitioner, claims the committee will do its best to address the issues in the February 2022 legislative short session.
By Olivia Goodfriend
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