New data shows a widespread shortage in health care workers across New Hampshire.
The data, released by the public health advocacy group New Futures, shows that across the state's 10 community mental health centers there are more than 200 open positions. That's an increase in vacancies of more than 20 percent over the past two years.
Meanwhile at the state's community health centers, there are more than 100 unfilled positions. The unfilled jobs include doctors, nurses, midwives, and physician assistants among many others.
The data comes as New Futures and a host of other health care organizations, like the New Hampshire Hospital Association, are backing a bill that seeks to address this workforce shortage.
The bill contains several policy changes designed to attract and retain more health care workers, including investing more state money in health care training programs, increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates, and streamlining the background check process for health care workers.
That bill, sponsored by Democratic Senator Cindy Rosenwald, is scheduled to have its first hearing next Wednesday.
