Sen. Murray discusses health care reform in Gig Harbor

Strong workforce needed to counter rising costs, she says

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray took a tour of St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor on Wednesday, then spotlighted a shortage of nurses and other critical health care workers.

Murray, D-Wash., is working on the workforce development portion of the American Healthy Choices Act to reduce the cost of health care and increase access to health care for Americans. She has spent thousands of hours on health care reform and said she takes what she hears from Washington residents to Washington, D.C.

“Far too many people are saying they can’t get health care when they need it, and they can’t afford it,” Murray said. “Forty-seven million Americans have no health insurance, and thousands more are worried about the economy.”

Murray’s premise for reform is simple: An educated workforce is needed in order to provide affordable health care for everyone.

“It won’t mean anything without a workforce,” she said. “It’s really important and makes common sense for health care reform.”

Murray said health care professionals are especially needed in primary care and pediatrics.

“The lack of trained professionals puts a strain on everyone else in the system,” she said. “Too few medical students are going into primary care and choosing lucrative specialties to pay for their education.”

Murray said it’s important to provide incentives for students to go into high-need areas. That could be accomplished by providing teachers, loan-repayment programs, grants and scholarships. A competitive grant program could create jobs and ease the strain on overworked health care providers, she said.

Murray added that there needs to be an investment in education, training and retention efforts along with a workforce plan to meet the needs of the community.

Laurie Brown, chief nursing officer for the Franciscan Health System, said she was disappointed that St. Anthony was not able to bring in a whole staff of trained professionals the day the hospital opened in March. “We’re still using contract agencies in some areas,” Brown said. “Bringing in contract labor increases our costs. It’s costly and disappointing when we could bring in our own.

“Nursing schools must increase the number of graduates to provide for the workforce.”

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy and Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma were on hand to lend their support for Murray’s program. Both are board members for WorkForce Central, a development entity that implements strategic solutions to address skill shortages through partnerships with the community.

“Sen. Murray has been strong, consistent and passionate,” Baarsma said. “She understands the relationship between workforce dollars and health care.”

Baarsma said that, two years ago, 72 percent of Tacoma voters expressed a preference for universal health care.

“We want to make sure young people know that health care is an option for their future,” Murray said. “We want to provide health care for all, but if you don’t have the workforce, it won’t be possible.”

Reach reporter Susan Schell at 253-853-9240 or by e-mail at susan.schell@gateline.com.