State officials in Georgia are deeply concerned about a shortage of health care workers, prompting them to allocate funds to aid rural providers in recruiting employees. With Georgia ranking among the top three states in the U.S. with the highest number of job vacancies, the health care field is particularly affected. In March 2023, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a job openings rate of 7.5% in Georgia, totaling 395,000 vacancies, compared to the national rate of 5.8%.
Of significant concern is the shortage of health care professionals in rural areas, which poses risks to communities located far from large hospitals. Sen. Bo Hatchett, recently appointed to the Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment, emphasized the challenges faced by health care facilities across Georgia. Recognizing the detrimental impact on families in non-metro areas, Sen. Hatchett highlighted the urgent need for properly trained medical staff.
In response to the pressing issue, state lawmakers approved the creation of the Senate Study Committee on Rural Medical Personnel Recruitment. The committee aims to raise awareness of the obstacles faced by rural hospitals in recruiting and retaining an adequate workforce, especially surgical personnel. As part of their efforts, lawmakers have added $3.1 million to the upcoming 2024 budget for loan repayment programs targeting health providers practicing in rural areas. Additionally, programs to educate future providers, such as physicians, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, and nursing faculty, will receive support.
The 2024 budget, commencing on July 1, forecasts a 7.4% increase of $2.2 billion over the original FY 2023 budget. While approximately a quarter of the budget, amounting to $32.4 billion, is allocated to health and human services agencies, Georgia Democrats argue that more is needed. They reference items vetoed by Gov. Brian Kemp, including funding for crisis centers aimed at addressing the mental health crisis and preventing mass shooting tragedies.
Leaders such as Georgia House Minority Leader James Beverly and State Representative Shelly Hutchinson criticize Gov. Kemp’s decision to veto crucial mental health funding, highlighting the need for comprehensive mental health support and the well-being of Georgia’s residents.
Nevertheless, lawmakers in both the House and Senate have agreed to allocate over $7 million in the state budget for behavioral crisis centers, including a 24-bed and 16-bed temporary observation chair center at Serenity Behavioral Health Systems in Augusta, a similar center in Fulton County with a $6.6 million budget, and the conversion of a crisis stabilization unit in Dublin into a 24-bed and 16-bed temporary observation chair center.
Furthermore, the state budget includes incentives in public safety and education to address workforce shortages and aid in retention and recruitment efforts.
The focus on combating the shortage of health care workers reflects the critical nature of the issue, as Georgia seeks to ensure the availability of quality care throughout the state.