Texas House Speaker Joe Straus recently created the Select Committee on Health Care Education and Training, which will focus on preparing more Texans for careers in the state’s growing health sector.
Committee members will assess the demand for health professionals across the state. They will also examine ways to better align public schools, as well as colleges and universities, with the needs of health care employers.
Rep. Susan King of Abilene will chair the committee. Its membership will also include Reps. Cecil Bell, Jr. of Magnolia, Travis Clardy of Nacogdoches, Garnet Coleman of Houston, Myra Crownover of Denton, Bobby Guerra of McAllen, Donna Howard of Austin, Joe Moody of El Paso, Chris Paddie of Marshall, John Raney of Bryan and Justin Rodriguez of San Antonio.
Last year, the Legislature approved House Bill 5, which encourages high schools and colleges to work more closely with industry to prepare students for workplace success. The Committee on Health Care Education and Training will continue that legislation’s emphasis on workforce readiness.
Texas faces severe shortages in the health sector. Of the state’s 254 counties, 177 were designated all or partial Health Professional Shortage Areas this year by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. And 207 counties were named shortage areas for mental health services. Many of the jobs that see persistent shortages do not require four-year college degrees.
In addition, Texas hospitals experience higher vacancy and turnover rates for nurses than similar states. Such rates are even higher in nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
Speaker Straus' press release is attached.