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 health services is growing. Economic distress of several Pennsylvania hospital systems is exacerbating current workforce retention and future workforce development challenges. PA is continuously evolving the infrastructure to educate and train the next generation of interprofessional health care workers who will be needed to care for its people. While hospitals, health systems, and community based organizations are innovating and making progress reducing turnover and vacancies, Pennsylvania’s government is making strategic investments and public policies needed to help them strengthen our health care workforce, while expanding equitable healthcare career opportunities for Pennsylvanians that promote economic mobility. 

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.