AAMC Statement on Markup of Legislation to Reauthorize the Title VII Health Professions and Title VIII Nursing Workforce Development Programs

• Press Release

AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and AAMC Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, issued the following statement ahead of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee hearing on legislative proposals to expand the health workforce:

"The AAMC strongly urges lawmakers to reaffirm the federal government's commitment to making America healthy by building a health care workforce capable of meeting the health needs of patients and communities nationwide by reauthorizing the Health Resources and Services Administration's (HRSA) Title VII health professions and the Title VIII nursing workforce development programs.

The AAMC and 67 national health care organizations agree that strengthening the health care workforce must be a top priority. These health care organizations represent schools, students, health professionals, and communities focused on ensuring that the health workforce is prepared to meet the varied needs of our entire population and deliver excellent patient care. The programs in Title VII focused on health professions and in Title VIII focused on nursing workforce development ensure the country can support training for physicians, physician assistants, nurses, primary care providers, pediatric providers, dentists, geriatrics professionals, mental and behavioral health professionals, public health practitioners, and other providers - many of whom go on to serve in rural and other medically underserved communities.

Reauthorizing the Title VII and Title VIII programs is vital to recruiting, training, and retaining the next generation of health care professionals who are prepared to meet the evolving needs of the American people. Legislation that makes meaningful investments in the health care workforce is especially critical to the national security and health of millions of people at a time when the U.S. faces significant health professions shortages, federal loan repayment limits, clinician burnout, and widening gaps in health outcomes."