Yesterday on Capitol Hill, Vizient^® hosted a congressional policy briefing titled, "Healthcare Under Hardship: The Chronic Conditions of the Healthcare Workforce," at the Rayburn House Office Building. The event, which included remarks from Rep. Kelly Morrison (MN-03), drew a standing-room-only audience of congressional staff and industry stakeholders and featured perspectives on the challenges facing the nation’s healthcare workforce.

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From left, Jason Glover, Janet Hader, Rebecca Blaesing-Bauer, Joy Plamann and Scott Cantley participate in the policy briefing, “Healthcare Under Hardship: The Chronic Conditions of the Healthcare Workforce,” at the Rayburn House Office Building, September 9, 2025.

“As a doctor for more than 20 years, I know firsthand the dedication of our healthcare workforce and the challenges they face,” said Rep. Morrison (MN-03). “In Minnesota, our health systems are on the front lines of providing patient care and addressing workforce shortages, burnout, and rising costs – all of which impact patients’ access to timely, quality care. I’m going to keep working every day for policies that strengthen our workforce, protect patient access, and ensure every community can rely on a sustainable, high-quality healthcare system.”

Moderated by Rebecca Blaesing-Bauer, senior vice president, networks at Vizient, the panel featured key healthcare leaders, including:

• Scott Cantley, President & Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Health System
• Jason Glover, Chief Executive Officer, Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
• Janet Hader, President & Chief Executive Officer, UNC Hospitals
• Joy Plamann, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, CentraCare

The panel highlighted the mounting pressures on health systems, from persistent workforce shortages and high turnover to the growing toll of burnout and workplace violence. Speakers emphasized that declining reimbursement rates, capped Medicare-funded graduate medical education (GME) slots, and rising recruitment costs further hinder hospitals’ ability to attract and retain staff. They also outlined various initiatives underway such as nursing pipeline programs, educational partnerships, and the use of artificial intelligence to reduce administrative burdens. However, panelists stressed that these efforts alone are not enough. Lasting progress will require policy solutions to increase GME slots, strengthen workplace safety, support nursing workforce development, and ensure hospitals are reimbursed at levels that reflect the true cost of care.

Learn more about Vizient's advocacy and public policy efforts.

About Vizient, Inc.

Vizient, Inc., the nation’s largest provider-driven healthcare performance improvement company, provides solutions and services to more than two-thirds of the nation’s acute care providers and more than one-third of ambulatory providers. Vizient offers proprietary data and analytics to deliver unique clinical and operational insights and a contract portfolio representing $156 billion in annual purchasing volume enabling the delivery of cost-effective care. With its acquisition of Kaufman Hall in 2024, Vizient expanded its advisory services to help providers achieve financial, clinical and operational excellence. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vizient has offices throughout the United States. Learn more at www.vizientinc.com.

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