113 of 114 Missouri Counties Dealing With Health Care Worker Shortage

Hospitals in Missouri continue to struggle with staffing shortages. Data compiled by the Health Resources and Service Administration shows that all but one county in Missouri has a shortage of doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. The shortage is a result of increased demand for services–driven by an aging baby boomer generation–along with difficulty in attracting and retaining health care workers. While all areas have been affected, the shortage is particularly evident in Missouri’s rural counties. 

The state has attempted to address the shortage through a plan to provide student loan relief for health care workers in high-demand areas. Another law passed this year lifts restrictions on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in order to give patients more care options in underserved areas.