A new bill aimed to address Kentucky’s health care worker shortage is on the move. The House Health Services Committee approved House Bill 200 this week.
The bill’s primary sponsor, Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, said the bill would enable the Council on Postsecondary Education, health care programs and health care providers and facilities to match public and private dollars to award scholarships to eligible students. The fund would be called the Kentucky Health Care Workforce Investment Fund.
Nursing, nursing aide, mental health, social work and emergency medical services students would be eligible, with 65 percent of the fund being dedicated to scholarships.
HB 200 will now go before the full House after receiving approval from the House Health Services Committee by an 18-0 vote with one pass vote.