Wisconsin Chapter-ACHE October 2009 Wisconsin’s Health Care Workforce

About Wisconsin The demographics Losing newly graduated, young members of workforce Falling behind in baccalaureate degrees Losing jobs in manufacturing

Wisconsin population is growing faster than workforce Source: OEA 2008

“The aging of the state’s population will have two conflicting effects on the labor market. On one hand, there will be an increased demand for health care and social assistance services, which will generate new employment opportunities for the workers in the state. On the other hand, these employment opportunities may go unfilled as employers struggle to find qualified workers to fill the jobs vacated by retiring baby boomers.” OEA, p3.

Factors Shaping Wisconsin's Future Labor Force and Income Wisconsin currently ranks 36th in the percent of its population aged 25+ with baccalaureate degrees; Wisconsin faces a net out-migration of college-educated young adults owing to a lack of high-paying jobs compared to urban centers like the Twin Cities and Chicago that offer higher salaries and proportionately more jobs in high- paying occupations; Wisconsin has the worst fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math performance in the nation for black youths, and the largest black-white score gap; Wisconsin’s high school population is forecasted to shrink while groups with traditionally lower college attendance and graduation rates comprise a larger share of traditional college-age youth;

Health Care The health care industry in Wisconsin included 297,460 jobs in This includes positions in ambulatory care facilities, hospitals, nursing homes and residential care facilities.

The Story in Wisconsin The current recession has lasted 20 months so far, December 2007 through June This is the longest recession since WWII. The average recession length since 1945 is 10 months. The previous recession lasted 8 months, from March 2001 to November The recession also lasted 8 months. The lengthiest to date were the recessions of November 1973 to March 1975, and July 1981 to November 1982, both were 16 months in duration.

The Story in Wisconsin We are still in for higher unemployment rates and more job losses in the coming months. Remember that employment gains always lag economic gains. In recessions since WWII, the jobs lag has been anywhere from 9 to 19 months.

Wisconsin lost 137,000 jobs during this downturn, about 5 percent of its job base since the recession began in December 2007, on a seasonally adjusted basis. All sectors suffered job losses with the exception of health care. It was 20 months after the last recession ended in November of 2001 that Wisconsin jobs hit bottom, in July Following the 2001 recession, it took 50 months (over 4 years) for Wisconsin job levels to reach the previous peak, SA.

Job Openings-SE Wisconsin The health industry is the dominant force in the current job market. One out of every four full-time job openings is in a health-related field and one our of every three part-time positions is in a health- related field. Nearly 90% of these jobs, however, require training or experience beyond high school and almost none are available to workers who have not completed high school or who lack job-related experience. Source: Job Openings Survey for Southeastern Wisconsin May Regional Workforce Alliance.

Workforce Impact Workforce reductions Hour reductions Fewer opportunities for new graduates Not as much mobility for incumbent workers

Workforce Impact Employees who want to work too many hours-Fatigue Non-retirement-Older workers-staying for the benefits and/or $$ Generational conflict

Regulatory Environment

Legislative Environment-State Ban on Mandatory Overtime Volunteers School Conference Leave Licensing  Surg Techs  Rad Techs

Impaired Professionals Task Force created by Secretary of Regulation and Licensing Last scheduled meeting of that group tomorrow Will make recommendations to Secretary Issues: Location, rules of the program, cost, reporting of relapse, etc.

Beyond Wisconsin How to Staff a Hospital Low/No lift Public Reporting Employee Free Choice Act California-5 supervised shifts legislation

Employee Free Choice Act and other Federal Initiatives Some positives: ARRA funding for re-training to health care occupations Primary Care-“Preserving Patient Access to Primary Care Act of 2009“ Federal scholarship money Funding for workforce planning-Health Workforce Investment Act of 2009

The Challenges Not enough workers The very old and the very young Under skilled workers Technology everywhere Increased demand Less money for everything

Thank you Judy Warmuth