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Too many of us lie awake worrying about what will happen if someone in our family gets seriously ill. Will I be able to find affordable health care? Do we have enough nurses and doctors in our rural, community hospitals?

That’s why, as your legislator and vice chair of the House Education Committee, I’m committed to tackling our health care workforce on the front end – with our students.

This legislative session, I introduced House Bill 2236 which expands and strengthens career and technical education in our high schools by creating the Core Plus Allied Health Care program.

Today’s Core Plus programs provide hands-on learning and transferrable skills that lead to careers in aerospace, construction and maritime. Just last year, I attended a Core Plus event that celebrated more than 1,000 high school graduates hired for Boeing manufacturing positions.

With House Bill 2236, now is the time to expand this program to our health care industry. Now is the time to encourage a new generation of young adults excited to serve in critical health care roles. Now is the time to develop a robust health care workforce that supports our rural communities.

Core Plus Allied Health Care is a huge leap towards preparing our students for high-demand, meaningful jobs that serve our community. The strength of this program is the partnership with employers and school districts that focus on work-based learning and industry-validated curriculum.

With passage of this bill, the Core Plus Allied Health Care program will initially focus on long-term care, medical assistance/certified nursing assistance and physical therapy/sports medicine.

The need for trained professionals in these fields is real. According to the Washington Health Workforce Council, nursing assistants, physical therapists and home care aides are among the most needed positions in assisted living, skilled nursing facilities. Our state does not have enough workers to care for our oldest residents. Addressing this problem through the Core Plus program makes a lot of sense.

As of writing this, House Bill 2236 is awaiting a vote in the House of Representatives. I expect this to happen in the next few days – and I am proud to have sponsored this bill.

With Core Plus Allied Health Care, I’m making sure that you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your family has access to quality health care.

Thank you for the opportunity to continue my life-long dedication to public service. As a veteran having attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduated from Naval Nuclear Power School, trained at a naval nuclear reactor plant and served in the Middle East and Southeast Asia as a public affairs officer, I am honored to serve you here in the Washington State Legislature.