HEALTH CARE WORKERS URGE ACTION AS COVID WAIVERS EXPIRE

Health care workers are urging state lawmakers to take action as a waiver that allows out-of-state nurses to get temporary licenses in Pennsylvania is expiring. Officials with the Pennsylvania State Nurses Association say this COVID-19 waiver has helped hospitals deal with their staffing shortages, and if action isn’t taken by the end of this month, things could get worse. They added that nurses are already burnt out, and they’re getting reports of people leaving mid-shift because they had enough. Lawmakers acknowledged the issue during a House hearing yesterday and say they must look into continuing the waiver.