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Resource Health Care Workforce Resources

Updated October 01, 2024
Related Topic: Health

State policymakers play key roles in health care workforce issues. States set health professional reimbursement regulations and rates, maintain medical schools and residency programs, provide incentives to practice in underserved areas and address health professionals’ scopes of practice. The field of health is a significant part of the nation’s economy, providing roughly 22 million jobs, or about 14% of the labor force. This webpage compiles NCSL resources on recruitment and retention, training and education, licensure and certification, scope of practice and telehealth policies related to health care professionals.

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Recruitment and Retention

States have established, or pursued federal funding relating to, health provider recruitment and retention programs.

Scope of Practice

States set the scope of practice, or the services health professionals may provide under their license, within their borders.

Telehealth

States set reimbursement rates, establish licensure requirements and ensure the quality of services delivered via telehealth to increase access to health care services.

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