Identifying the most critical capacity shortages will enable states to target their efforts so they can meet the increased demand for services generated by the expanded insurance coverage that will occur as a result of the ACA.

*Milestone details:

*Full name: Identify high priority areas for increasing healthcare provider and public health workforce capacity.

*Relevance to the ACA:

ACA does not require a workforce capacity assessment, but identifying priority areas of need can help states strategically address shortages. Provisions relevant to improving system capacity:

§5101 - National Health Care Workforce Commission - a resource on evaluating and meeting the need for health care workers, will issue reports in 2011.

§5102 - State Health Care Workforce Development Grants through HRSA.

§5103 - National Center for Health Care Workforce Analysis in HHS, will collect and analyze workforce information.