Texas lawmakers eye sharing health care workers with other states to address provider shortages

Advocates say interstate compacts, which allow professionals to use their work licenses in multiple states, can solve Texas’ workforce shortage. Skeptics fear Texas would send more workers than it would receive.

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A coalition of health industry leaders are backing a policy they say would help stop the statewide hemorrhaging of health care workers — allowing certain out-of-state professionals to practice in Texas.

The plan would allow Texas to join existing interstate compacts for nine professions: audiology and speech pathology, cosmetology, occupational therapy, physician’s assistants, counseling, dentistry, dietetics, respiratory care and social work. If a state agrees to join a compact, eligible professionals could obtain a multistate license similar to a driver's license that allows them to practice outside of their state. Texas workers would be able to work elsewhere and out-of-state workers can work in Texas.

“It is too early to say what these compacts could add to the workforce as there needs to be studies done, but what it does is make it easier for folks to practice in multiple states,” said Bryan Mares, government relations director for the Texas chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

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