Dive Brief:
- In the wake of the recent presidential election, staffing and recruitment professionals are still concerned about the economy and the Affordable Care Act. During the recent Staffing Industry Analysts’ Healthcare Staffing Summit in Washington, former Governor of Utah Mike Leavitt discussed this issue among others during a panel session with Howard Dean, former Governor of Vermont.
- Leavitt said that the idea that ACA will be withdrawn completely is unrealistic, and that Republicans will be on the hook to find a way to replace it. Dean agreed that the election marks a big shift, calling it a "revolution." Dean also noted that at present, there is not enough health care talent to care for an increasingly aging population.
- Bryan Peña, Senior VP of Contingent Workforce Strategies at Staffing Industry Analysts said that while changes to the ACA are to be expected, the resulting unstable economy will most likely signal a time of increased use of a contingent workforce.
Dive Insight:
The staffing market appears to be prepared for any uncertainty caused by the outcome of the election, based on the views of seasoned recruitment pros who have survived our recent recession. While there are concerns over the ACA and how it will be managed moving forward, many analysts and politicians expect that these changes will take place gradually.
Employers can take heed by leaning more on contingent workers which leaves compliance with agencies. Concern over staffing shortages in the healthcare market is nothing new, and there has always been high demand for professionals in this space. Organizations in every industry do, however, need a plan to manage Baby Boomers who are staying employed and living longer.
