- Star Grassroots Advocates
- In March, students from the USC Keck School of Medicine and MGH Institute of Health Professions PA programs traveled to Washington to meet with their elected representatives for the association’s first expanded Spring Advocacy Trip. Congratulations, and thank you for your work!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA) reintroduced the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act (H.R. 1685) and the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act (H.R. 1686) on March 12. If enacted, this legislation would establish the first-ever dedicated funding stream to support PA clinical training in rural and underserved areas and ensure PA students have equal access with their peers in the health professions to Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans.
- USC Keck School of Medicine PA Program Director Kevin Lohenry spoke at an interprofessional congressional briefing on March 14 to discuss the value of Title VII investments in promoting the health workforce in underserved communities. Great job, Kevin!
- Health Care News in Washington
- In March, the Trump administration released its fiscal year 2020 budget proposal, renewing the administration’s call to eliminate funding for most Title VII programs in addition to loan forgiveness opportunities such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. As has been the case in prior years, this proposal has generated bipartisan opposition in both the House and Senate.
- The House Energy and Commerce Health subcommittee held a hearing on March 6 on proposed legislation to reduce premiums and strengthen state-based insurance marketplaces under the Affordable Care Act.
- Opportunities for Action
- PAEA’s Government Relations team is wrapping up its first quarter effort to introduce the PA education to freshmen members of Congress. To ensure that PA education issues are at the forefront of the policy agenda, it is critical that lawmakers hear from their constituents. If you have not already done so, please urge your representatives to prioritize PA education issues this Congress!
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