PA Chamber: Why Childcare Reforms Will Grow the Workforce

March 06, 2025

Supporting childcare is a key step to address Pennsylvania’s workforce shortage.

Last month, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry released public policy recommendations to help support access to childcare across the commonwealth.

“Growing our economy starts with removing barriers for people to enter, stay in, or re-enter the workforce—and access to high-quality, affordable childcare is a critical part of that equation,” PA Chamber President and CEO Luke Bernstein said in a statement. “We need a comprehensive plan to support this industry, including to tackle staffing shortages, reduce costs, and mitigate regulatory and administrative challenges.”

The statewide chamber received input from employers, local chambers of commerce, and childcare advocates and providers to address some of the barriers that make it more difficult to operate childcare facilities in Pennsylvania. The plan includes recommendations across three areas:

• Support staffing efforts
• Reduce administrative burden
• Combat rising insurance costs

HAP continues to support policies that improve access to childcare and grow the workforce. See HAP’s Action Plan for Maternal Health, which identifies childcare as a top priority to support the workforce and access to maternal care.

See the chamber’s policy proposal online.