Relating to the establishment of the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and a workgroup on nursing career pathways and the abolition of the statewide health coordinating council and the nursing advisory committee of that council.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Carol Alvarado and 5 co-sponsors

Texas replaces its health coordinating council with a new Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council and creates a nursing career pathways workgroup to address healthcare workforce shortages.

Effective on 9/1/25

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Legislative bill overview

HB 3801 establishes a new Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council in Texas while abolishing the existing Statewide Health Coordinating Council and its nursing advisory committee. The bill also creates a dedicated workgroup focused on developing nursing career pathways to address workforce development needs.

Why is this important

Healthcare workforce planning directly affects healthcare access and affordability across Texas. By restructuring how the state coordinates health professions education and workforce development, this bill aims to create more strategic alignment between educational programs and labor market demands, particularly in nursing—a field facing persistent shortages nationwide.

Potential points of contention

Institutional disruption: Abolishing the existing council eliminates an established entity; stakeholders who relied on that structure may face transition challenges or lose representation

Nursing-specific focus: While creating a nursing workgroup addresses current shortages, critics may question whether other health professions (physicians, therapists, technicians) receive adequate workforce planning attention

Governance clarity: The bill's effectiveness depends on how the new council is staffed and funded; insufficient resources could limit its actual impact on workforce development outcomes