Evers highlights budget initiatives to bolster health care workforce

Several initiatives in Gov. Tony Evers’ 2023–25 biennial budget are targeted at bolstering the health care workforce and addressing shortages of nurses, certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and other health care professionals that are impacting Wisconsinites’ access to health care, according to a news release. The governor highlighted these initiatives during a visit to the UW–Eau Claire campus to host a roundtable discussion with nursing students about the workforce challenges facing the industry and the health care system as a whole.

The governor’s biennial budget includes a $200 million investment to continue the successful Workforce Innovation Grant Program to provide long-term solutions for businesses to find workers and individuals to obtain family-supporting jobs. Of that total investment, $100 million would have a specific focus on bolstering the state’s health care workforce.

In addition to the $100 million investment, the governor is also allocating more than $50 million to address the health care workforce shortage.