UW System Seeks $90 Million To Train 35,000 Health Workers
Healthy Wisconsin plan would expand health care workforce over the next decade amid rising demand.
Students on the UW-La Crosse campus. Photo courtesy of UW-La Crosse
The Universities of Wisconsin wants to train 35,000 new health care professionals over the next decade.
The $90 million proposal will be included in the 2027-29 budget that is presented to the Wisconsin State Legislature and governor in the fall.
The total budget proposal for the state’s public university system will be released next week prior to the Board of Regents meeting, said spokesperson Mark Pitsch.
Interim System President Renée Wachter on Monday announced the Healthy Wisconsin proposal at UW-La Crosse, saying it would improve access to health care across the state.
She was joined by UW-La Crosse Chancellor James Beeby, UW-Parkside Provost Matt Cecil, UW-Stout Polytechnic Dean of Students Sandi Scott and UW-Madison Provost John Zumbrunnen.
“One of the things that we know and have heard across the state is that one of the greatest challenges is health care access,” Wachter said. “We are very prepared at the Universities of Wisconsin to help solve that challenge, as we have in generations past solved some of the greatest challenges within the state.”
The 65-plus population makes up the fastest-growing segment of the population in Wisconsin. A recent report by the Wisconsin Hospital Association estimates that overall health care demand will increase by 10 percent above current levels by 2040.
In a statement to WPR, Ann Zenk, WHA’s senior vice president of workforce and clinical practice, said Wisconsin’s higher education institutions are critical partners in training the next generation of health professionals.
“Continued collaboration between higher education and hospitals will be essential to addressing Wisconsin’s workforce needs and maintaining access to high-quality care in communities throughout the state,” Zenk wrote.
Wachter and other system representatives are crossing the state this week to gain support for the budget proposal.
While Healthy Wisconsin is the first initiative unveiled, on Wednesday Wachter will be at UW-Milwaukee to join others in a discussion about strengthening the state’s talent pipeline, innovation ecosystem and long-term economic competitiveness.
And on Thursday Wachter will be at UW-Superior to highlight the value of higher education.
This year, the final state budget included $265 million for the Universities of Wisconsin. The UW system had originally sought $855 million.
Universities of Wisconsin wants to train 35K new health care professionals in next decade was originally published by Wisconsin Public Radio.
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