A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION, To analyze and report information on the healthcare workforce in South Dakota.

WHEREAS, the delivery of healthcare in a rural state like South Dakota provides unique challenges because of South Dakota's large area and small rural population centers; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota is nearing a crisis in the declining number of people employed in healthcare fields; and

WHEREAS, the amount of information and data known about the healthcare workforce in South Dakota is minimal; and

WHEREAS, the State of South Dakota and the Legislature need to be committed to investing in and supporting the development of the healthcare workforce in South Dakota:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the Ninety-Ninth Legislature of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the Department of Health provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature no later than December 3, 2024, with an analysis of the healthcare workforce in South Dakota; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the report includes an analysis of all available data sources including recruitment metrics, educational programs, migration data, demographic information and projections, overall demand for healthcare, and other related information to identify patterns, gaps, and opportunities for the healthcare workforce; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a healthcare workforce database be implemented with ongoing updates of data and information on healthcare workforce in the state; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the report include analysis of healthcare utilization patterns to understand where and what types of care South Dakotans are seeking across the State; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the report identify successful healthcare workforce programs or initiatives and report on the strategies and outcomes; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the report includes recommendations based on the findings from the analysis encompassing actionable steps to enhance the healthcare workforce in South Dakota.

Adopted by the Senate, February 5, 2024

Concurred in by the House of Representatives, February 23, 2024

_____________________ _____________________ Lee Schoenbeck Peggy Laurenz President Pro Tempore Secretary of the Senate

of the Senate

_____________________ _____________________ Hugh Bartels Patricia Miller Speaker of the House Chief Clerk