- Star Grassroots Advocates
- In June, PA education advocates sent over 450 messages to their senators urging rapid consideration of the Rural MOMS Act. Thank you for your vigorous advocacy!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- On June 15, Representative Karen Bass (D-CA) reintroduced the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act. Following the enactment of previously included provisions in the 116th Congress, the updated iteration of the bill includes new resources to support the development of telehealth curricula for PA programs in addition to targeted investments in clinical training and research capacity.
- PAEA joined the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Coalition in submitting written comments to the Department of Education in June in advance of anticipated negotiated rulemaking. In the comments, PAEA called for the Biden administration to reduce administrative barriers to borrowers seeking to receive loan forgiveness in exchange for ten years of service in a non-profit health care setting.
- Health Care News in Washington
- Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Student Assisted Vaccination Effort (SAVE) Act on June 17. This PAEA-endorsed bill would permanently provide liability immunity to health professions students participating in future public health response efforts such as mass vaccination campaigns.
- The full Senate voted to confirm Miriam Delphin-Rittmon to the position of Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use by a voice vote in June.
- Opportunities for Action
- PAEA is urging the Senate to prioritize the Rural MOMS Act for a floor vote. If you have not already done so, please send a message to your senators urging them to cosponsor the bill today.
59