Texas' health care workforce has increased 123% in 30 years. State officials say it isn't enough

Texas' health care and social assistance sector has grown 123% in 30 years, adding more than one million jobs, but demand continues to outpace supply across the state. Officials testified that growth has outpaced other industries, driven by population expansion and aging, with North Texas projected to reach nine million residents in the coming year. Nearly 1.4 million Texans work in health care, yet regions report only about 30% to 50% of needs being met, and some areas as low as 25%. Registered nursing posts exceed 158,000 statewide, while home health and personal care aides total more than 43,000, with the sector projected to add nearly 294,000 jobs by 2032. Texas also has the third-largest number of active nurse licenses, and RN licensure has risen almost 25% in the last decade.