Governor Hassan Applauds Executive Council Approval of Contract to Recruit Health Care Workers to New Hampshire

Statement

Governor Maggie Hassan issued the following statement today after the Executive Council approved a contract with the Bi State Primary Care Association to provide an additional $870,000 to recruit primary care, oral health, behavioral health and substance use disorder professionals to New Hampshire:

"New Hampshire is facing a healthcare workforce shortage in fields ranging from direct care workers to pediatric nurses to psychologists and substance misuse professionals that is threatening our ability to meet the health care needs of our citizens. This contract builds on our efforts to address the health care workforce shortage by increasing efforts to recruit health care providers to New Hampshire, including additional substance misuse professionals to help combat the heroin and opioid crisis across the state. I thank the Executive Council for its bipartisan vote to approve this critical measure, and I look forward to continue working with members from both parties to address the health care workforce shortage in order to strengthen the health and well-being of our people and our communities."

Last week, Governor Hassan signed Senate Bill 424, which simplifies the licensing process for alcohol and drug abuse counselors moving to New Hampshire from other states, and earlier this year, the Governor issued an executive order creating the Commission on Health Care Workforce in order to address New Hampshire's health care workforce shortage.

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