Neil's Spotlight Strengthening the nation's health workforce
November 2, 1009
Expansions in coverage will strain an already stressed health workforce. Under the new House health care bill (HR 3962), existing scholarship, loan repayment, and training grant programs are strengthened to address the need for primary care, nursing, and public health professionals.
The primary care workforce is also enhanced by expanding the National Health Service Corps and creating a new primary care loan program. Nursing workforce expansions are focused on advanced practice nurses who can deliver primary care services and train the next generation of nurses. A new generation of public health workers will be trained through a new loan repayment and scholarship program modeled on the National Health Service Corps.
Finally, improved data and advisory systems, coupled with improved diversity and interdisciplinary programs, will provide ongoing surveillance and flexibility to ensure that workforce policies address the needs of a modern U.S. health system.
PRIMARY CARE WORKFORCE (INCLUDING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND DENTAL WORKFORCE)
Increases funding for National Health Service Corps to address workforce shortages in high need areas. Allowsflexibility for part-time service.
Creates a new scholarship and loan repayment program for health care providers in areas of moderate need.
Enhances student loan and faculty loan repayment programs for primary care providers.
Strengthens grant programs for primary care training institutions.
Expands general and pediatric dentistry, dental hygienists, and dental health programs.
Encourages training for primary care physicians, encourages training outside the hospital where most primary care is practiced, and ensures that physicians are trained with the skills needed to practice health care in the 21st century.
NURSING WORKFORCE (INCLUDING PRIMARY CARE NURSING)
Expands education, practice, and retention programs for nurses.
Enhances existing student loan, scholarship, and loan repayment programs.
Enhances development of advanced practice nurses, including those who deliver primary care services.
Expands existing loan repayment programs to increase number of nursing faculty.
PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE
Creates a scholarship and loan repayment program for public health workers, modeled after the National Health Service Corps.
Strengthens programs for recruitment, training, and retention.
Strengthens existing preventive medicine programs.
ADAPTING WORKFORCE TO EVOLVING SYSTEM NEEDS
Strengthens existing programs to promote diversity in the health workforce.
Authorizes grants to promote interdisciplinary and community-based training.
Establishes broad interdisciplinary commission to examine workforce issues.
Establishes study center to gather better data on workforce needs.
Office provided by the Office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
