There is a national health care workforce shortage but the challenges in Pennsylvania are among the most severe. PA’s aging population means more health care professionals are retiring just as the need for care is growing. PA is creating the infrastructure to educate and train the next generation of health care workers who will be needed to care for its people. While the hospitals and health systems are making progress reducing turnover and vacancies, Pennsylvania’s government is making investments and public policies needed to help them strengthen their health care workforce.

Pennsylvania is also leading the charge in keeping up with healthcare technology.  In 2024, Governor Shapiro signed legislation expanding access to telemedicine services by requiring health insurers and managed care plans to pay for covered health care services provided through telemedicine.  This will help make health care more accessible and affordable for Pennsylvanians in rural communities and vulnerable populations.  Pennsylvania also created legislation this year to regulate use of artificial intelligence in processing health insurance claims while also creating new programs that allow the use of AI in healthcare.