Reed’s EMPOWER for Health Act Approved by Key Committee

WASHINGTON, DC - As the U.S faces an aging population and growing demand for health care, it needs a well-trained health care workforce that can meet these future demands.

In an effort to respond to the critical need for health care professionals in Rhode Island and throughout the country, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act (S.4110).

Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to advance this bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Title VII health professions to increase access to health care in underserved areas and diversify the health care workforce to meet the needs of different populations. It would also enhance federal support of programs that help grow and strengthen the pipeline of health care professionals in primary care, mental and behavioral health, dental services, pediatrics and more.

The good news is, Americans are living longer. Much of the increased demand is driven by the high prevalence of disease among older adults, with 93 percent of older Americans living with at least one chronic condition, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"I am pleased the HELP Committee voted unanimously to advance the EMPOWER for Health Act. In Rhode Island, we know we urgently need more doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals. The EMPOWER for Health Act responds to that need. Through investment, innovation, incentives, and interventions, the EMPOWER for Health Act would help boost America's health care workforce to keep up with demand, deliver care and ensure people have access to the services they need," said Senator Reed. "Our bipartisan bill would support health care worker education, effectiveness, and retention. It would help grow the talent pipeline and ensure people can make a good-living providing high-quality care for patients. And that enhances everyone's well-being."

Specifically, the EMPOWER for Health Act would reauthorize the Title VII health professions education and training programs through Fiscal Year 203 and provide loan repayment for health professionals that agree to work at least two years in specific types of medicine, such as pediatrics. It would also help reauthorize successful, state-based training programs.

The bill has been endorsed by numerous health organizations, including: AIDS Action Baltimore, AIDS Foundation Chicago, the AIDS Institute, the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Association of Medical Colleges, the American Public Health Association, the American Society for Microbiology, the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, Big Cities Health Coalition, the Children's Hospital Association, Fast-Track Health, the Gerontological Society of America, the HIV Dental Alliance, the HIV Medicine Association, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, the National Association of County & City Health Officials, the National Association for Geriatric Education, the National Hispanic Medical Association, NMAC, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, and the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.

"The Children's Hospital Association is proud to endorse the EMPOWER for Health Act, which provides vital support for the pediatric health care workforce so children's hospitals can mitigate staffing shortages and increase access to care," said Children's Hospital Association CEO Matthew Cook. "We applaud Senators Reed and Murkowski for championing children's health through this legislation to reauthorize critical health care workforce programs like the Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program, ensuring it incentivizes people to go into pediatric subspecialties where we see the greatest need. We look forward to continuing our mission to protect children's access to care and grow the pediatric workforce alongside our champions in Congress."

Now that the bill has been approved by the HELP Committee, it must be considered by the full U.S. Senate.

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