August 22, 2008
In This Edition: How States Will Increase the Health Care Workforce, Benefits of Farm to School Programs, and Will Your State Have a Public Health Laboratory in a Time of Crisis?
Capitol Ideas is a periodic listing of story ideas and background information from new NCSL research. For more information, or a free copy of a LegisBrief, please contact NCSL's Press Team.
Increasing the Health Care Workforce
For states attempting to achieve universal coverage, current and forecasted shortages in the health care workforce could become one of the most significant challenges. The nation will need an estimated additional 6 million health care workers by 2014 to replace retiring workers and care for aging baby boomers. The problem is acute in rural America. Find out how some states are addressing this issue and what cooperation it will require among many stakeholders, including state legislators.
State Farm-to-School Policies
Evidence links good nutrition to student achievement—well-nourished students do better in school. Concerns about school nutrition, childhood obesity and local farm economies have led legislators to develop statewide farm-to-school programs. These programs also benefit many sectors of the economy. Find out which states have benefited from statewide farm-to-school programs, both outside and inside of the legislature.
State of Emergency: Public Health Laboratories and Terrorism Preparedness
America’s public health laboratories are on the front lines of the nation’s defense against terrorism. Since the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy, resources for state laboratories have increased substantially, particularly for terrorism preparedness and defense. Whether this level of support can be maintained, however, will determine if the laboratories are ready to respond quickly to a terrorist attack.
Other LegisBrief topics for this month include:
What's Up with SCHIP?
New Welfare Rules: Fiscal Penalties for States?
Technology Meets Ethics Training
To request your free media copy of an NCSL's LegisBrief, please contact our press room.
NCSL is the bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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