In the past two years, the unremitting struggle against COVID-19 has strained our healthcare workers and healthcare system as never before.

Just before the holiday, we counted that the total number of COVID-19 cases in the United States exceeded 51 million, and the death toll exceeded 800,000. Throughout the pandemic, hospitals and health systems and their teams have been on the front line.

However, the stress, trauma, burnout, and behavioral health disorders of our caregivers are at historical levels. A survey in 2021 found that nearly 60% of health care workers reported that their mental health was affected during the response to COVID-19.

Our country does not have enough clinicians to take care of patients today, and there will be insufficient training channels in the future. In addition, the health and well-being of doctors, nurses and all medical staff are on an unsustainable path.

The labor shortage has a direct impact on patient care. Although hospitals always prioritize key services such as emergency departments and intensive care units, patients may have to wait longer to receive treatment. These delays may cause additional emergencies or medical complications.

The huge challenge of maintaining the healthcare workforce before the pandemic. By 2033, the United States will face a shortage of as many as 124,000 doctors and will need to hire at least 200,000 nurses each year to meet the growing demand and replace retired nurses.

There is also a severe shortage of dedicated health and behavioral health professionals, especially in rural and urban communities that have been marginalized in history. A recent analysis shows that by 2026, there will be a shortage of as much as 3.2 million medical staff.

These shortages, coupled with an aging population, an increase in chronic diseases, and an increase in behavioral health conditions, have led to national emergencies that require immediate attention from healthcare leaders and policymakers at all levels of government.

The leaders of American hospitals and health systems are committed to supporting our workforce because they are our most precious resource. For example, Providence-a health system that serves seven western states-has been providing many labor programs and services to support its caregivers, including tuition reimbursement and other training benefits, referral and retention bonuses, and free Behavioral health care.

Hospitals across the country have made similar efforts, and the American Health Association has been sharing resources to promote well-being and resilience. This includes working with our hospitals to determine new care models to improve the care of our patients and improve the working environment of our team. However, there is much more we can do—cooperate with Congress, the Biden administration, and other partners—to address the urgent needs of our workforce, prepare for tomorrow, and build a pipeline for the future.

Some of these efforts should include:

• The Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act was promulgated. The legislation is named after a doctor who led the emergency department of Allen Hospital in New York and died by suicide in 2020. The legislation will authorize funding to create programs that provide well-being and behavioral health services for health care workers.
• Strengthen regulatory review The price of nurse staffing institutions during the pandemic. There are many examples of nurse staffing organizations driving up prices. They use nurses to fill the bottom line of the organization and charge the hospital high fees for traveling nurses.
• Lift the lid Medical insurance-funded doctors and residents will strengthen support for nursing schools and teachers, provide scholarships and loan repayments for certain providers, and expedite the visas of all foreign trained medical and healthcare personnel.
• Support efforts to strengthen Nursing staff need to make sure that the hospital has the nurses they need in the future. According to data from the American Association of Schools of Nursing, in 2019 alone, due to insufficient numbers of teachers, clinical sites, classroom space, clinical tutors, and budget constraints, the School of Nursing rejected more than 80,000 qualified applicants from bachelor and graduate programs.
• Support national efforts Expand the scope of the practice law to allow healthcare professionals to practice with the highest license.
• Stop the cumbersome practices of health insurance companies Keep nursing staff away from the bed and increase provider burnout.

Hospitals and health systems recognize that the people working in their organizations are indeed at the core of healthcare, and we will continue to strive for the policies, resources and support they need to ensure that our communities have access to healthcare today and in the years to come. Serve.