- Star Grassroots Advocates
- As a result of continuous advocacy by PA faculty and students over the course of this year, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act in November, including significant new investments in health workforce diversity and the National Health Service Corps. Thank you for your leadership!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- PAEA submitted comments to the offices of Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) in November in response to a request for information on current federal mental and behavioral health programs. In the letter, PAEA requested the inclusion of PAs and PA students as eligible mental health professionals for the purposes of federal programs such as Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training grants as well as significant new investments in clinical education capacity.
- In mid-November, Senators Baldwin (D-WI), Collins (R-ME), Rosen (D-NV), and Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the PAEA-endorsed Bolstering Infectious Outbreak (BIO) Preparedness Workforce Act. If enacted, this legislation would authorize $50 million annually from fiscal years 2023 to 2027 for loan repayment awards to PA graduates and other health professionals engaged in infectious disease care.
- Health Care News in Washington
- On November 17, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted to advance the PAEA-endorsed Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act. This legislation would authorize investments in health workforce resiliency training originally made via the American Rescue Plan Act through fiscal year 2024.
- On November 22, Vice President Kamala Harris announced a $1.5 billion investment in health workforce distribution utilizing American Rescue Plan Act funding for the National Health Service Corps and other programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
- Opportunities for Action
- As the Senate considers the Build Back Better Act throughout December, it is critical that constituents make their voice heard to preserve investments in health workforce diversity in the bill. Please urge your senators to champion these provisions today.
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