UW CHWS researchers recently authored two new publications in Health Affairs Scholar examining timely challenges affecting the U.S. health workforce. Both papers are part of the journal’s special collection, “Building a Stronger Health Workforce: Insights From the Health Workforce Research Centers,” which highlights research from the federally funded Health Workforce Research Centers, including the two at UW CHWS, on workforce trends, challenges, and policy needs.
The first paper, “Pharmacy benefit manager policy and pharmacy stakeholder perceptions of financial pressures and closures,” led by UW CHWS Affiliate Investigator Jennifer Bacci, examined state laws regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from 2015 to 2025 alongside perspectives from pharmacy stakeholders and pharmacists with firsthand experience of pharmacy closures. Findings show that while PBM regulation expanded from just two states in 2015 to all 50 states by 2023, participants continued to identify PBM practices as a major source of financial pressure, pharmacy closures, and workforce strain. The authors highlight stronger implementation and enforcement of PBM policies as potential strategies to help support community pharmacies and preserve access to care.
The second paper, “Sociodemographic Characteristics of Nurses Entering and Leaving the US Nursing Workforce in 2018 and 2022,” led by UW CHWS Affiliate Investigator Kyla Woodward, examined changes in the registered nurse (RN) workforce before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from the 2018 and 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, the study explored the characteristics of nurses entering and leaving the workforce and factors associated with leaving a primary nursing job. Findings highlight changes in workforce diversity and the role of workplace well-being and safety in RN turnover.
Read the two Health Affairs Scholar publications and watch the accompanying video abstracts using the links above.