Given the shortage of health care workers in general, and respiratory specialists in particular, why aren’t our community colleges expanding their programs and financial aid for these programs? If that means expanding internships, then that needs to happen. We have so many hospitals and sleep clinics that it is hard to believe they cannot find more than 30 internships per class.

These programs are highly rated and the jobs are high paying. There should be many more opportunities for local kids. They are turning away many qualified diverse candidates. The alternatives include importing workers from overseas or sending kids to programs in private schools with questionable quality and much higher cost leaving them with sky high loans. Expanding programs in health services at junior colleges should be a high priority.