The 1.5 million people who live in rural Wisconsin are finding greater challenges finding and retaining medical professionals in their communities.
The President and CEO of Wisconsin Hospital Association, Eric Borgerding applauds the state Assembly for forwarding a set of proposals put together by WHA to address the problem. Borgerding says a two-edged problem in rural health care will be happening soon with an aging population need more care, and fewer people to provide it.
He says helping find, train and keep home-grown talent is essential...
"....it will help Wisconsin take some steps to increase the number of nurses and allied health professionals getting their training. That's one of the big needs we have...."
Borgerding says the legislative proposals will help....
"....that's what a couple different pieces of this package will do is provide match dollars to health systems in rural parts of the state to jump start some of those training opportunities that we really need....."
The Assembly measure would create more opportunities for advanced practice clinicians and physicians to train in rural Wisconsin and stay here, bolster quality improvement programs and other points.
Borgerding says health care is a key component of rural economic development in the state. A study found a high likelihood of a medical professional born, raised and trained in Wisconsin to stay and work here.