On September 11, the Lutheran Services in America public policy department launched a new “Capitol Conversations” webinar series aimed at informing and engaging the network in advocacy, with a session titled “Building a Workforce for the Future: Trends and Practice Shaping Policy.” Following an overview presented by Sue Polis, vice president of public relations and government affairs, of the focus areas of Lutheran Services in America’s strategy to address the workforce shortage (recruitment and retention, strengthening the pipeline, and readiness to fill roles), a cross-section of network members heard from four speakers: Stephanie Badger, The Nickles Group; Ryan Kenyon, the office of Sen. Kevin Kramer (R-ND); Wanda Harris, The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society; and Kelli Dobner, Samaritas.
Stephanie introduced members to the Healthcare Workforce Coalition, which she helps lead. The coalition advocates in three areas to address the shortage: education, recruitment and retention, and international workers. Their work supports classifying nurses as STEM workers for greater federal funding availability and advocating for better protection for healthcare workers from workplace violence and mental health challenges.
Ryan highlighted Sen. Kramer’s sponsorship of the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (HWRA), which would allow previously unused green cards to be distributed to up to 40,000 healthcare workers, while identifying the challenges ahead for passage. He also discussed the hardship imposed on nursing home providers by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) minimum staffing rule, urging continued efforts to advocate directly with the agency.
Network members Wanda and Kelli shared their experiences dealing with workforce shortages in the field, including the ways in which the crisis has reshaped their business, and the importance of addressing workplace culture and professional development in recruiting and retaining employees.
Next steps include urging your lawmakers to support the HWRA, joining Lutheran Services in America in asking CMS and Congress to better address staffing and reimbursement issues, and watching the recording of this event. If you would like more information about our policy engagement on workforce or other issues, or if you have requests for future topics for this series, please contact me.
Sarah Dobson is Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at Lutheran Services in America.
