HCS HB 450 -- MISSOURI HEALTH PROFESSION SHORTAGE PLANNING
COMMISSION

SPONSOR:  Hunter (Baker, 25)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Special Committee on
Workforce Development and Workplace Safety by a vote of 12 to 0.

This substitute establishes the Missouri Health Profession
Shortage Planning Commission within the Department of Economic
Development.  Members appointed to the commission are to be
recognized as experts in the field of health, finance, economics,
or health facility management and must be appointed within 30
days of the effective date of the substitute.  Non-legislative
members will serve a three-year term, while legislative members
will serve through their current legislative term.

The commission's duties include monitoring data and trends in the
health profession workforce, making recommendations on the
economic cluster for health care professions, identifying
recruitment and retention strategies for higher education health
care programs, promoting diversity, making recommendations on
financial and other assistance to students enrolled in health
care programs, and identifying recruitment and retention
strategies for health care employers.

The commission will annually submit a report on its findings and
recommendations to the appropriate standing committees of the
General Assembly.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Cost on General Revenue Fund of $31,330
in FY 2008, $20,886 in FY 2009, and $20,886 in FY 2010.  No
impact on Other State Funds in FY 2008, FY 2009, and FY 2010.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that Missouri is faced with shortages
in health care infrastructure and personnel particularly in the
area of elder care.  The commission will provide a clearer
picture of the current and future needs of Missouri's aging
population and give a strategic, multi-disciplinary plan to
expediently address the problems.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Baker (25); Joe
Perlie, University of Missouri; Missouri Southern State
University; and Missouri Hospital Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:19 am