SB22-172 Colorado Rural Health-Care Workforce Initiative seeks to increase the health care workforce of Colorado's rural communities by funding rural track training programs modeled after CU. The funding would be available for all institutions of higher education in the state that offer degree and credentialing programs for health care professionals.
The CU School of Medicine's rural track program, led by Dr. Mark Deutchman, has shown that students trained in the unique challenges of servicing rural communities are more likely to remain in these communities and lead successful careers.
The pandemic has exacerbated existing problems with Colorado's health care workforce and the system to train, recruit, and retain our health care professionals is in dire need of support, especially in rural areas. SB22-172 seeks to create a long-term investment in the health care workforce of Colorado's rural communities.
The bill was introduced in the Senate and is scheduled for its first hearing next week. CMS is hard at work encouraging Senators to not only vote yes on the bill, but also prioritize it for funding.
The Colorado Medical Society sent a Code Blue alert last week to physicians in key senate districts. If you received a Code Blue, don't forget to call your senator and/or sign on to our letter of support.
