- Star Grassroots Advocates
- On July 14, a coalition of PA students from across the country participated in PAEA’s Twitterstorm in support of the Strengthening America’s Health Care Readiness Act. Thank you for your advocacy!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- PAEA submitted a letter to House and Senate leadership on the critical importance of including liability protections for institutions of higher education in an upcoming COVID-19 response package in July. In the letter, PAEA cited the disruption caused to the health workforce pipeline as a result of policies instituted by institutions based on fear of litigation rather than institutional capacity to protect students from exposure to the novel coronavirus.
- Following the release of guidance from the Trump administration regarding the removal of F-1 and J-1 visa students in response to institutions fully transitioning to distance learning for the fall semester, PAEA sent a letter along with other organizations from the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions opposing the change. After a sustained public response, the Trump administration rescinded the announced policy.
- Health Care News in Washington
- On July 31, the House of Representatives passed a funding package for fiscal year 2021 including appropriations for the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill includes notable increases for several Title VII health workforce programs, including Area Health Education Centers and the Mental and Substance Use Disorders Workforce Training Demonstration.
- In mid-July, the House Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee held a hearing examining ongoing efforts to develop a safe and effective novel coronavirus vaccine.
- Opportunities for Action
- PAEA has partnered with the offices of Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) to advocate for the inclusion of S. 4055 - the Strengthening America’s Health Care Readiness Act - in future COVID-19 response legislation. This bill would provide $5 billion in supplemental funding for the National Health Service Corps scholarships and loan repayment programs while requiring 40% of scholarship awards to support underrepresented minority students. If you have not already done so, please contact your representatives in support of this bill today.
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