- Star Grassroots Advocates
- On May 1, PAEA published an article featuring interviews with four National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholars and PA students from the California Baptist University (CBU) PA program. The interviews highlighted the importance of the NHSC for creating career pathways for PAs in underserved areas and expanding access to care in vulnerable communities. These student perspectives are critical to share as PAEA continues its work in advancing the bipartisan Restoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act that would extend and increase mandatory funding for the NHSC through FY 2026 with funding levels increasing each year from $625 million to $825 million. Special thanks to Alyssa Ayudante, Chelsey Cheatham, Srisha Jhangiani, and Frances Relampagos for their advocacy on behalf of NHSC!
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- On May 9, PAEA submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies conveying the Association’s funding priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. Such priorities include:
- Restoring and expanding the supply of clinical training sites,
- Increasing representation in the healthcare workforce to promote health equity, and
- Addressing maternal mortality disparities impacting Black or African American women.
- PAEA along with the Coalition for Health Funding and other stakeholders across the funding spectrum submitted a letter to congressional leadership urging Congress to reject cuts to non-defense discretionary appropriations that support a robust and resilient public health infrastructure.
- On May 15, PAEA in association with the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) issued a consensus statement declaring the low number of historically underrepresented men of color (HUMOC) graduating and entering the health care professions a as a national crisis. Additionally, the statement calls upon local and national educational, health care, governmental and community leaders to raise awareness regarding this critical issue and to identify barriers and provide resources to significantly increase the number of men of color graduating from the academic health professions.
- From May 19-21, the representatives of PAEA attended the meeting of the 2023 AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) which serves as the policymaking body for the PA profession. During the meeting, the body considered a number of resolutions impacting PA programs, faculty, and students. To learn more about the positions offered by the association, read this article published by PAEA.
- On May 9, PAEA submitted written testimony to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies conveying the Association’s funding priorities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024. Such priorities include:
- Health Care News in Washington
- On May 8, Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester along with Reps. Nanette Barragán and Annie Kuster introduced H.R. 3080, the Health Center Service Expansion and Provider Shortage Reduction Act. This PAEA-endorsed bill would invest in strengthening the primary care workforce through supplemental funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC).
- In mid-May, the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) launched the 2023 application cycle for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program. Through the program, successful faculty will have up to $40,000 in their health professional student loan debt repaid over two years. In return, participants must serve at an eligible health professions school. The current application cycle is open through June 29, and those interested in applying are invited to learn more here.
- On May 17, Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bernie Sanders announced work on a $200 billion health workforce investment package. The plan would provide $130 billion for community health centers and $60 billion in funding to grow the workforce over five years.
- Opportunities for Action
- PAEA is now accepting applications for the 2023 Student Health Policy Fellowship. If you are interested in developing leadership and advocacy skills to ensure that PA education is represented at the local, state, and national level, apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 10. If you would like to learn more, visit PAEA’s Student Health Policy Fellowship page.
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