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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Nicole
Reigelman |
State Rep. Mark Cohen |
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Cohen wants select panel to examine shortages in health-care professions
HARRISBURG, March 7 – State Rep. Mark Cohen announced today he has introduced a resolution to create a select House committee to examine Pennsylvania’s shortages in various health-care professions.
Cohen, D-Phila., the majority caucus chairman, said the shortage of all health-care professionals is one of the most pressing challenges to the future of the state.
The committee Cohen proposes would study both the short- and long-term problems of shortages and recommend actions the state could take to mitigate and resolve the obstacles arising from shortages.
“With the impending shortages of skilled professionals, health care in Pennsylvania will suffer dramatically,” Cohen said. “The time to examine this issue is now -- we can’t afford to wait any longer to determine a course of action to manage this looming crisis.”
Cohen said that data indicates the number of skilled health-care professionals retiring each year is greater than the number of students in or graduating from health-care schools.
A similar resolution was introduced in the last legislative session with widespread support.
Cohen said he also will be introducing legislation addressing specific issues stemming from shortages.
The resolution (H.R. 109) has 41 co-sponsors.
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