Establishing the Health Care Workforce Center (HCWC)
The DPH Health Care Workforce Center was initially established through Chapter 305 of the Acts of 2008: An Act to Promote Cost Containment, Transparency, and Efficiency in the Delivery of Quality Health Care. Chapter 224 of the Acts of 2012: An Act Improving the Quality of Health Care and Reducing Costs Through Increased Transparency, Efficiency and Innovation, amends, continues and expands the work of the Center that was established in the Acts of 2008. The mandate includes, and is not limited to, monitoring trends in access to primary care providers within Massachusetts, and reviewing existing data and collecting new data on the capacity of the workforce to serve patients
Vision and Mission of the HCWC
VISION: A health care workforce that meets the needs of all Massachusetts residents.
MISSION: To improve access to health care in the Commonwealth by supporting policy making and programs which will assure optimal supply and distribution of primary care and other health professionals.
The Center strives to fulfill its mandate and to further its mission by focusing its work in three areas:
- Collecting, analyzing and disseminating data concerning demand and supply, geographic distribution and demographic characteristics of health care professionals;
- Analyzing laws, regulations, policies and practices that influence health professional recruitment and retention and making recommendations for strengthening the workforce and;
- Developing, supporting and administering programs that address workforce needs, shortages, recruitment and retention.
Programs of the HCWC
- State Primary Care Office
- Conrad 30 / J-1 Visa Waiver Program
- National Interest Waiver Administration
- State Loan Repayment for Healthcare Professionals
- Health Professions Data Series