Senate Passes Bills to Address Health Care Workforce Shortage with Unanimous Support

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate unanimously approved legislation that would create better pathways for students to enter the medical field, help address the healthcare workforce shortage throughout Colorado, and improve patient outcomes – especially in underserved communities. 

SB22-003, sponsored by Senator Janet Buckner (D-Aurora) and Senate President Pro Tem Kerry Donovan (D-Vail), would allow community colleges to offer full bachelor’s degrees to certain nursing students to address the state’s health care provider shortage and create more high-paying jobs.

“Colorado continues to face a critical health care workforce shortage, impacting patients’ ability to access the care they need, and the situation has worsened since the pandemic began,” said Sen. Buckner. “This bill will help more students pursue their dream and land a good-paying job in nursing while giving Colorado hospitals more qualified and better trained health care professionals to hire. By expanding educational opportunities for students, we can strengthen our workforce and improve health care access for all Coloradans.” 

“Both rural and urban areas have felt the effects of our state’s shortage of nurses in hospitals,” said Sen. Donovan. “This bill will be a step towards providing hospitals with the staffing they need while saving people money on their education.”

This bill would allow more students to enroll in BSN nursing programs, which will enable employers to grow internal talent who are familiar with their workplace’s culture and needs and allow students to earn a bachelors in nursing at a faster pace than in a traditional program, saving thousands in tuition and fees and addressing the nursing shortage head-on.

SB22-056, a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) and Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Logan), would permit the University of Northern Colorado to offer doctoral degree programs in osteopathic medicine. Currently, the University of Colorado has exclusive authority in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and physical therapy. This bill amends the university’s role and mission to include programs in osteopathic medicine.

“Every Coloradan, regardless of where they live, should be able to access the health care they need, but folks in rural and other underserved areas continue to be heavily impacted by the ongoing doctor shortage,” said Senate President Garcia. “With this bill, we will be able to address the shortage, strengthen our workforce, and help more patients access needed care.”

According to the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, only 34.6 percent of the state’s need for physicians is currently being met, negatively affecting access to care, especially in rural and other underserved communities. SB22-056 would help address this shortage, especially in primary care, and ensure that more providers can see more patients, and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

Both bills now move to the House for further consideration. Track the progress of SB22-003 here and SB22-056 here.