OKLAHOMA CITY – The Health and Human Services Working Group, part of the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding, is calling for proposals regarding medical personnel workforce projects.
The Legislature has created subject area working groups within the committee to determine needs stemming from the pandemic and recommend areas of investment for the federal funding received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
The working group has spent months hearing from stakeholders across the state on the needs and impacts from the pandemic. The group heard from presenters from state agencies, hospitals, nursing homes, higher education and many others from the healthcare sector.
A common theme expressed during the hearings was the workforce shortage across the health care industry, especially nursing. The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding voted Monday on the first round of priorities for funding considerations based on the working group’s initial recommendations and identified the labor shortage as an early priority.
Last week, the working group heard from stakeholders on the status of the nursing workforce and are asking for projects related to two-year, four-year and Career Technology Center programs. The group is interested in proposals addressing health care workers at all licensure levels.
“During our Health and Human Services public hearings in September, we overwhelmingly heard the need to address the health care workforce shortage," said Rep. Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. "The January 3 soft deadline for proposals related to this will allow us to dig in and start working towards solutions quickly."
“By announcing this call for medical personnel workforce projects, we are ready to put ARPA dollars to work in addressing the healthcare workforce shortage, which was magnified by the pandemic,” said Sen. John Haste, R-Broken Arrow. "This is not just about adding people but about improving health outcomes for Oklahoma."
The Legislature has opened a submission form available at www.oklahoma.gov/ARPA for public feedback on projects that can transform the state. The working group is requesting proposals be turned in through the online portal by Jan. 3, 2022, to be considered in the first round of recommendations. Proposals may be submitted at www.oklahoma.gov/ARPA.
The federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 provides $1.9 trillion in relief funds to state, local and tribal governments to enable them to continue to support the public health response and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable economic recovery.
These funds are limited, one-time use monies and must comply with guidance from the U.S. Treasury. Not all proposals will be advanced.