Prognosis

Hospitals Struggle to Keep Nurses Even With Billions in U.S. Aid

Money helps but structural changes needed, health groups say
U.S. sees average of 194,500 unfilled nurses jobs through 2030

Nurses and supporters demonstrate during a strike against staffing shortages at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital (ACMH) in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, on March 16.Photographer: Nate Smallwood/Bloomberg

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By Martin Z Braun and Lauren Coleman-Lochner

April 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

States from Arizona to Maine are deploying billions of dollars in federal aid to hospitals in a desperate attempt to retain and recruit overworked health-care professionals facing the threat of yet another spike in Covid-19 cases.

Pennsylvania hospitals are getting $210 million for bonuses or wage increases for front-line health-care workers. Texas approved $378 million to address “critical staffing needs” at nursing homes and home health agencies. Tennessee health-care facilities are receiving $120 million.