— While hospitals are challenged by rising labor and supply costs, the head of the Wisconsin Hospital Association says his “most fundamental concern” is attracting workers to the field.
In a legislative briefing this week, WHA President and CEO Eric Borgerding told lawmakers that creative solutions will be needed to shore up the health care workforce in the coming years.
“There’s a lot we can do in the public policy realm to improve our workforce, and we really need to work together to do that,” he said.
Ann Zenk, the association’s senior vice president of workforce and clinical practice, highlighted demographic trends that are straining Wisconsin’s labor market. The state’s over-65 population is expected to double by 2030, causing health care demand to rise by 30 percent. And as the state’s population ages, older health care professionals are expected to retire in droves, putting greater strain on a shrinking workforce.
“Our challenge is really compounded, and creates urgency for solutions,” Zenk said during the briefing.
She also spotlighted a “generational tipping point” in the health care workforce that will influence future efforts to bolster critical professions such as nursing. Millennials now make up the largest share of the labor pool for health care employers, she said.
“Baby boomers predominated the workforce for a long time,” she said. “That’s not true anymore. Now we have a multi-generational workforce … So we have to make sure, as hospital employers, that we appeal to that multi-generational workforce. That we best try to understand the needs of our workforce.”
Based on surveys and other information gathered by WHA, these younger workers prioritize “meaningful work,” having caring and trusted colleagues, good health, as well as a positive and safe work environment. Zenk argued the industry “can, and should, and must” meet those expectations.
“They’re not afraid to go somewhere else. They’re not afraid to seek opportunities where they can find them — good for them,” she said. “But that also means that we’re seeing a lot more turnover in health care jobs, and we have to make sure we can keep up with that turnover.”
The briefing also highlighted a number of recommendations from the group’s latest Wisconsin Health Care Workforce Report, such as removing barriers to “top-of-skill” practice for professionals, leveraging technology to offset the shrinking workforce, promoting health care as an “achievable and meaningful” profession, streamlining licensing and others.
“We have partnered successfully on a lot of things already, and there’s a lot more work to be done,” Zenk said.
Watch the full briefing: https://wiseye.org/2023/04/11/wha-state-of-the-health-care-workforce-legislative-briefing/
See WHA’s workforce report: https://www.wha.org/MediaRoom/DataandPublications/WHAReports/Workforce/2023
Listen to a recent podcast with Zenk: https://www.wisbusiness.com/2023/wisbusiness-the-podcast-with-ann-zenk-wisconsin-hospital-association/
<br><b><i>Top headlines from the Health Care Report…</b></i>
— The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health is urging policymakers to boost investments in early care and education in low-income areas to reduce “toxic stress” among kids.
And Attorney General Josh Kaul has joined 23 attorneys general arguing a Texas federal court’s decision to block abortion pill access would have “devastating consequences.”
<i>For more of the most relevant news on COVID-19, reports on groundbreaking health research in Wisconsin, links to top stories and more, sign up today for the free daily Health Care Report from WisPolitics.com and WisBusiness.com.</i>
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— First-quarter home sales in the Milwaukee area were down 28.3 percent over the year, according to the latest report from the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors.
Across Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee and Washington counties, a total of 2,879 homes were sold in the first quarter of this year. That number was 4,013 during the same period last year. But the group notes that decline is from the “pandemic-fueled buying frenzy” seen in the first half of 2022.
“Until we’re able to make comparisons to a more ‘normal’ period, sales figures will look more extraordinary than they actually were,” report authors wrote.
GMAR notes rising interest rates have had an impact. Higher mortgage rates have led some buyers and sellers to reassess, the group says, leading to a relatively slower market. But at the same time, industry reporting shows the typical increase in internet searches seen every spring.
Meanwhile, home listings for the region were down 24 percent quarter-over-quarter, from 5,167 to 3,927.
“Buyer demand is always driven by life changes and household formation, with Millennials and Gen Z serving as current examples,” report authors wrote. “Add to that buyers who recognize that interest rates in the 5% – 6% range are good historically, who are good credit risks, and have strong employment prospects — and we have a recipe for strong demand for years to come.”
See the full report: https://www.gmar.com/resources/research-statistics/2023-housing-statistics
— Dems balked at a series of Republican unemployment overhaul bills they say wouldn’t make a dent in reducing fraud or Wisconsin’s workforce shortage.
The Assembly Workforce Development and Economic Opportunities Committee yesterday heard public comment on four bills that would make significant changes to the state’s unemployment insurance program. Changes include modifying benefit term eligibility calculations, broadening the employee misconduct termination definition and allowing other departments to transfer their employees to the Department of Workforce Development during UI staffing shortages.
Unemployment Insurance Advisory Council member Shane Griesbach said the bill authors also never contacted the council while drafting the legislation. Typically, changes to the program have gone through the council, which is made up of representatives from business and labor. But GOP lawmakers have bypassed that process with a series of proposals in recent years.
See more at WisPolitics.com: https://www.wispolitics.com/2023/wed-pm-update-dnr-secretary-says-agency-will-submit-revised-wolf-management-plan-to-board-this-fall
— The state Department of Children and Families is offering more than $9 million in grant funding to businesses that offer paid child care as an employee benefit.
In a release yesterday, the agency announced employers can apply for the latest round of Partner Up! grants through 5 p.m. on May 12. Applications are open to companies new to the program as well as those looking to renew an existing child care contract.
According to DCF, at least 220 businesses have enrolled in the grant program, resulting in child care openings for more than 1,200 children in the state.
DCF Secretary Emilie Amundson says the agency saw substantial interest in the first two cohorts of the program. The latest grants are supported through Quality Jobs, Equity, Strategy and Training funding from the state Department of Workforce Development, she said.
“This additional funding will allow more businesses to take the leap and offer attractive benefits that not only strengthen their business, but also their employees’ families and the child care providers within their communities,” Amundson said in the release.
See more on the program here: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childcare/projectgrowth/partner-up
— Wisconsin Rural Partners is recognizing four projects in the state through this year’s Top Rural Development Initiative awards.
Recipients will be spotlighted April 27 at the organization’s 2023 Rural Summit in Mauston. They include:
*Wisconsin Women in Conservation, a group of farmers and landowners in the state who are interested in environmental stewardship. Since launching in 2020, the effort has been involved in 44 conservation plans led by women, with 60 more in the pipeline.
*The Antigo Child Center, a partnership between local and state-level economic development groups and local employers. According to a release, the center is currently at capacity and is considering expansion.
*UW-Eau Claire’s Small Business Clinics, a rural business outreach initiative developed and operated by student consultants at the university’s Small Business Development Center. It offers services such as marketing, legal, cybersecurity, finance and more.
*And the Meadows, an affordable housing development in Darlington meant for agricultural workers.
#TOP STORIES#
# State regulators say Tyco is failing to comply with investigation of PFAS near farm fields
# Wisconsin Republicans push stricter unemployment benefits
# Marcus CEO Greg Marcus loves movies, except they’re too long
#TOPICS#
# AGRIBUSINESS
– USDA reports slow progress in Wisconsin farmland drying for spring planting
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=418&yr=2023
– Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board invites proposals for agriculture research and education
http://wisconsinagconnection.com/story-state.php?Id=417&yr=2023
# CONSTRUCTION
– Bucks’ player development firm buys West Allis property for $1.8M, plans to build apartments
– Gilbane, C.D. Smith crews place 110-foot skywalk connecting Hyatt to convention center
# ECONOMY
– Wisconsin has regained almost all the population it lost since 2020, but rebounds have been uneven
# EDUCATION
– Asian students want their culture represented in Wisconsin classrooms
# ENVIRONMENT
– DNR board OKs request for more land management money
– Gov. Tony Evers declares emergency over extreme fire danger across much of the state
# FINANCIAL SERVICES
– ‘Swag area,’ barista bar and cafeteria: Inside Fiserv’s Milwaukee HQ plans
# HEALTH CARE
– Q&A: Froedtert Health’s Cathy Jacobson shares next steps for merger with ThedaCare
– Desire to transform health care in Wisconsin behind Froedtert, ThedaCare merger
# LABOR
– Auto workers union, credit union labor negotiations appear to be faltering
# LEGAL
– Family files lawsuit against Ascension St. Elizabeth for daughter’s death
# POLITICS
– Dem, GOP convention picks show Midwest’s political influence
# REAL ESTATE
– Sale of 100 East office tower approved by judge, paving way for apartment conversion
# SMALL BUSINESS
– Brew City Match program returns after four-month hiatus
– A way with clay: Winona artist makes unique creations and offers workshops
# SPORTS
– Million-dollar upgrade in works for Wisconsin athletes Walk of Fame outside Panther Arena
– The Buzz: A former Packer player co-owns a new Appleton sports training facility
# TECHNOLOGY
– Microsoft’s $1B project marks M7’s biggest investment win, could lure stronger job creators
# PRESS RELEASES
<i>See these and other press releases:
https://www.wisbusiness.com/press-releases/ </i>
Dane County Land & Water Resources Department: Take action this spring to support pollinators
Miron Construction Co., Inc.: Promotes executive at Madison office
