- Star Grassroots Advocates
- PAEA hosted a webinar in late February entitled, “Perspectives on State-Level Tax Incentives for Clinical Preceptors.” This event highlighted the role of state advocacy in expanding clinical education capacity via tax incentives instituted in Georgia, Colorado, and Maryland and featured a panel of experienced PA advocates. A recording of the session can be accessed here.
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- On February 8, Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act. This PAEA-endorsed bill would make significant investments in health workforce diversity, curriculum development, and clinical rotation opportunities for PA programs.
- On February 27, the House of Representatives narrowly passed the American Rescue Plan Act by a vote of 219-212. This COVID-19 response legislation includes a number of PAEA-supported provisions, including an additional $40 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and $800 million in supplemental funding for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs.
- Health Care News in Washington
- The House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee held an oversight hearing on February 23 to examine strategies to expand the supply of COVID-19 vaccines nationwide.
- In late February, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and the Senate Finance Committee held confirmation hearings for President Biden’s Secretary of Health and Human Services nominee Xavier Becerra.
- Opportunities for Action
- Throughout 2021, PAEA will be urging legislators to take bold action to address the health and education crises resulting from COVID-19. If you have not already contacted your representatives through this campaign, please do so today.
55