DC Council addresses home health workforce shortages amid aging population concerns

The Joint Public Oversight Roundtable held on March 26, 2025, by the District of Columbia's Committee on Health and the Committee on Executive Administration & Labor focused on the critical shortage of home health professionals in the region. Chaired by Christina Henderson and Anita Bonds, the meeting aimed to address the challenges faced by the long-term care workforce and explore potential solutions.

The session began with testimonies from various stakeholders, including training centers, workers, and recipients of care. Eric Benner from Home Care Partners highlighted a significant issue: while there is a high interest in home health jobs, many applicants lack the necessary qualifications. This gap is largely attributed to delays in the credentialing and licensing processes, which can take weeks or even months. The bottlenecks are exacerbated by a shortage of nurses involved in credentialing and the cumbersome paperwork required for licensing.

Participants discussed the need for a systematic approach to map out the future demand for health-related services, particularly as the senior population continues to grow. The D.C. Coalition on Long Term Care has conducted surveys to gather data on employer needs, which could inform planning for the required number of home health aides in the coming years.

A key development mentioned was the Certified Nursing Amendment Act, which aims to streamline the licensure process for home health aides and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). This legislation is expected to alleviate some barriers by allowing professionals to work across both roles without needing additional training, thus addressing workforce gaps more effectively.

The discussion also touched on the importance of a coordinated systems approach to healthcare, emphasizing quality improvement frameworks like the Baldrige framework. Stakeholders suggested the formation of a coordinating committee to oversee the implementation of these strategies, ensuring timely progress in addressing the workforce shortages.

As the meeting concluded, participants were encouraged to submit their testimonies for the record, underscoring the collaborative effort needed to tackle the pressing issues facing D.C.'s long-term care system. The roundtable highlighted the urgency of addressing workforce challenges to ensure adequate care for residents in need.