KBIA Local
(2009-01-29)
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COLUMBIA, MO
(KBIA) -
Governor Jay Nixon spoke to a crowded room Thursday morning at the University of Missouri's Sinclair School of Nursing. Nixon made the visit to discuss his new program aimed at providing greater opportunities for students in the health care fields. KBIA's Eric Durban has more.
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Only days after delivering his inaugural State of the State address, Governor Jay Nixon visited the MU campus to talk about his newly unveiled program, Caring for Missourians. Facing a statewide shortage in health care professionals, Caring for Missourians looks to add 916 additional graduates in health care fields in the next four years, including 81 students a year on the MU campus. Nixon stressed the opportunities for health care professionals to help ease the states unemployment rate.
"We have unfilled positions for skilled workers and health care professions right here in Missouri. The demand for those positions exceeds the supply. That shortage hits low income Missourians the hardest, both urban and rural."
The health professions make up a good portion of the annual MU budget and Chancellor Brady Deaton says that health care must continue to be supported in the future.
"Health affairs is just a vital area as we look to the future. And certainly it's very important for continuing the quality of life for Missourians. And so it is one of the very high priorities of our university."
In the midst of tight budget crunches, Caring for Missourians will cost more than $39 million if approved for the 2010 budget. That money will be allocated to all two-year and four-year schools in the state. © Copyright 2012, KBIA
