- Star Grassroots Advocates
- On September 15, the eighth cohort of PAEA Student Health Policy Fellows conducted 46 congressional meetings on behalf of the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act, the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act, and the Perinatal Workforce Act. Thank you for your advocacy!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- On September 7, PAEA submitted comments in response to a request for information from the Department of Education on proposed administrative improvements to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. In the letter, PAEA highlighted the potential impact of PSLF in addressing workforce shortages, called for improved servicer oversight, and urged the Department to strengthen the appeals process for borrowers denied forgiveness.
- PAEA joined 243 advocacy organizations in a September 17 coalition letter urging congressional leadership to ensure the inclusion of provisions from the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act in a final human infrastructure agreement currently under consideration.
- Health Care News in Washington
- The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on September 30 examining progress and challenges encountered surrounding school reopenings for in-person instruction.
- The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed its budget reconciliation bill on a party line vote in mid-September. This iteration of the bill includes over $320 million in resources for PA and other health professions programs to develop curricula, conduct student recruitment activities, and facilitate program expansion in response to significant workforce shortages.
- Opportunities for Action
- As Congress works to finalize its human infrastructure budget reconciliation legislation, lawmakers must hear from constituents on the critical importance of ensuring the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act is included in a final agreement. Please urge your representatives and senators to support this legislation today.
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