Gov. Tony Evers, as previewed in his 2024 State of the State address, signed Executive Order No. 220 to create the Governor’s Task Force on the Healthcare Workforce, according to a press release today.
The task force will be charged with studying the workforce challenges facing the state’s health care system, including recruitment and retention; identifying ways to improve patient care and alleviate the burdens on the health care workforce; exploring educational and training pathways to grow a sustainable health care workforce; and creating an action plan with solutions related to workforce development, industry innovation, education, and training for consideration in the governor’s 2025–27 biennial budget.
Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, who is a registered nurse and holds master’s degrees in nursing and public health, will be the task force chair. The task force will also include Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Secretary Amy Pechacek or a designee, Wisconsin Department of Health Services Secretary Kirsten Johnson or a designee, representatives from the state’s higher education institutions, and other individuals appointed by the governor. These individuals may include members from state and local government, citizens of Tribal Nations, and individuals representing health care professionals, organized labor, patient advocacy groups, and other impacted workforce sectors and industries.
