Bills to Reauthorize PAHPA, CHGME and Workforce Programs Advance in House

Jun 27, 2018 - 03:11 PM
HELP-committee-hearing

The House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee today advanced legislation to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, Children’s Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program, and federal workforce development programs for nurses and health professionals.
 
The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act, as amended, would authorize $264.6 million in annual funding for the Hospital Preparedness Program, down from $374.7 million currently. The subcommittee did not adopt changes advocated by AHA to increase the HPP funding level to at least $515 million; explicitly permit academic medical centers and metropolitan and regional hospital associations to compete for HPP partnership awards; and formally keep the HPP and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Programs separate under their respective agencies. However, the amended bill does include AHA-supported changes to the Public Health Emergency Fund’s financing and uses.
 
The AHA-supported Children’s Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5385) would reauthorize the CHGME program through 2023 at $325 million a year, a $10 million increase over last year’s funding allocation and the amount specified in the fiscal year 2019 House appropriations bill.
 
The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R. 959), supported by the AHA’s American Organization of Nurse Executives subsidiary, would reauthorize nursing workforce development programs that support recruitment, retention and advanced education through FY 2022.
 
The Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency Readiness Act (H.R. 3728) would reauthorize health professions workforce programs that support loan repayment and provider training experiences in primary care, dentistry, rural and underserved areas.
 
The committee also approved the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (H.R. 1676), which directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to enhance health professionals training in palliative care.

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA says revised H-1B selection process could hinder hospital efforts to address workforce shortages
The AHA commented Oct. 24 on the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed weighted selection process for registrants and petitioners participating in the H-…
Headline
Shutdown continues with no significant progress toward funding deal
The government shutdown is expected to continue into next week as the Senate is expected to adjourn Oct. 23 with no plans to vote this weekend. The chamber Oct…
Headline
USCIS issues updated guidance on new H-1B visa filing fee
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Oct. 20 released updated guidance regarding the new $100,000 fee for H-1B visas announced last month. It…
Headline
AHA issue brief highlights opportunities for recruiting veterans into health care careers
In a new issue brief, the AHA has collected a series of resources and examples to help hospitals and health systems recruit and integrate the veteran…
Headline
AHA shares concerns with FTC on employer noncompete agreements
The AHA Oct. 20 responded to a request for information from the Federal Trade Commission on employer noncompete agreements. The AHA expressed concerns about…
Headline
Government funding bill fails 10th time in Senate as chamber adjourns until next week
The Senate Oct. 16 failed for a 10th time to advance the continuing resolution to extend government funding and end the ongoing shutdown. The chamber adjourned…