Danielle Hernandez, administrator of the Health Professions Data Center in the Division of Public Health Services, presented the 2024 New Hampshire Health Care Workforce report (based on state fiscal year 2022 licensing data) to the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Oversight Committee on April 25 and highlighted several workforce trends and policy recommendations.

"This report does reflect data collected in state fiscal year 2022," Hernandez said, noting the analysis will move to a consolidated dashboard in state fiscal year 2026 for better time‑series tracking.

Major findings presented:
- APRNs (nurse practitioners) showed a large net supply increase (presented as a 42% net gain for the period analyzed), and APRNs have relatively high rates of full‑time/part‑time clinical practice in New Hampshire compared with physicians.
- Physicians showed modest net supply growth (about 6%), but anticipated supply indicators are concerning: the report noted roughly twice as many primary‑care physicians are aged 60 or older compared with those under 40, and about 15% of primary‑care physicians said they do not expect to be in clinical practice in New Hampshire in five years.
- Dentists experienced a net loss (reported as an 8% decrease) in the period analyzed.
- Access differences: primary‑care physicians had lower acceptance rates for new patients (about 66% open panels in non‑rural areas, 71% in rural areas) and longer wait times for new patients (median roughly three weeks in rural areas) versus APRNs (median wait about five days).
- APRNs and physician assistants account for more than half of primary care provider capacity in most rural public health regions; steady APRN growth has driven rural primary‑care capacity in many areas.

Recommendations Hernandez delivered to legislators emphasized continued investment in in‑state education and training pipeline programs (family medicine residencies, the State Loan Repayment Program, AHEC, UNH ANEW and other pipeline initiatives), maintaining and expanding residency slots in rural areas, and supporting evidence‑based recruitment and retention programs. She also cited new and growing initiatives such as the Harvard School of Dental Medicine rural track and interstate licensure tools like PSYPACT for behavioral health as helpful supports.

Committee members asked about full‑time equivalency and whether new licensees were per‑diem or practicing substantial hours; Hernandez said APRNs report a higher rate of active clinical practice in the state (mid‑80s percent) compared with physicians (around 70 percent), and that the dashboard planned for SFY2026 will allow more detailed trend analysis.

Ending: Hernandez urged continued, targeted investment in pipeline and training programs to shore up physician, dentist and psychologist supply and said the data center will shift to a single dashboard to make trends easier to monitor.