Bill Summary
This legislation is a bill aimed at reauthorizing various programs related to health professions education in the United States, specifically through amendments to the Public Health Service Act. The bill proposes to allocate specific funding amounts for various health education initiatives from fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Key provisions include:
1. **Centers of Excellence**: Funding of $28.4 million annually to support centers that enhance health professions education.
2. **Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students**: Annual funding of $55 million to provide scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
3. **Loan Repayments and Fellowships**: $2.31 million each year to support loan repayment and fellowship programs for faculty positions.
4. **Educational Assistance for Disadvantaged Backgrounds**: $16 million annually to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in health professions education.
5. **Primary Care Training and Enhancement**: $49.9 million each year for training programs aimed at enhancing primary care.
6. **Training in Dentistry**: $42.7 million annually for training in general, pediatric, and public health dentistry.
7. **Area Health Education Centers**: $47 million each year to support area health education centers that promote health professions training.
8. **Geriatric Education and Training**: $48.2 million annually for education and training programs related to geriatrics.
9. **Health Care Workforce Analysis**: Continuation of funding to analyze health care workforce needs from 2026 to 2030.
10. **Public Health Workforce Development**: $18 million each year to support development programs for the public health workforce.
11. **Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program**: $10 million annually to support loan repayment for pediatric specialists.
Overall, the bill seeks to ensure ongoing support and funding for essential health education programs over the next five fiscal years, addressing various aspects of health professions training and workforce development.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation on reauthorizing programs related to health professions education could affect people:
1. **Increased Access to Healthcare Careers for Disadvantaged Students**: The amendment providing $55,014,000 for scholarships for disadvantaged students aims to reduce financial barriers for individuals from underprivileged backgrounds pursuing careers in health professions. This could lead to a more diverse workforce and improve representation in healthcare, ultimately benefiting communities that have historically faced disparities in health access.
2. **Improved Primary Care Services**: With $49,924,000 allocated for primary care training and enhancement, healthcare providers will receive better education and training in primary care practices. This could result in improved healthcare services, particularly in underserved areas, where access to primary care is often limited. An enhanced workforce trained in primary care can lead to better patient outcomes and more efficient healthcare delivery.
3. **Support for Faculty Development and Retention**: The allocation of $2,310,000 for loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions can help attract and retain qualified educators in health professions programs. This investment is critical for ensuring that educational institutions have skilled faculty members who can provide high-quality training to future healthcare professionals. Better-trained educators can contribute to improved educational outcomes for students, which is essential for addressing the growing healthcare workforce needs.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4262 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4262
To reauthorize programs related to health professions education, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 30, 2025
Ms. Schakowsky introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize programs related to health professions education, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF PROGRAMS RELATED TO HEALTH PROFESSIONS
EDUCATION.
(a) Centers of Excellence.--Section 736(i) of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293(i)) is amended by striking ``appropriated''
and all that follows through the period at the end and inserting
``appropriated $28,422,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2030.''.
(b) Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students.--Section 740(a) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293d(a)) is amended by striking
``section 737'' and all that follows through ``2025.'' and inserting
``section 737, $55,014,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2030.''.
(c) Loan Repayments and Fellowships Regarding Faculty Positions.--
Section 740(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293d(b)) is
amended by striking ``appropriated'' and all that follows through the
period at the end and inserting ``appropriated, $2,310,000 for each of
fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
(d) Educational Assistance in Health Professions Regarding
Individuals for Disadvantaged Backgrounds.--Section 740(c) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293d(c)) is amended by striking
``authorized to be appropriated'' and all that follows through
``2025.'' and inserting ``authorized to be appropriated $16,000,000 for
each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
(e) Primary Care Training and Enhancement.--Section 747(c)(1) of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293k(c)(1)) is amended by
striking ``appropriated'' and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting ``appropriated $49,924,000 for each of fiscal
years 2026 through 2030.''.
(f) Training in General, Pediatric, and Public Health Dentistry.--
Section 748(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293k-2(f))
is amended by striking ``appropriated'' and all that follows through
the period at the end and inserting ``appropriated $42,673,000 for each
of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
(g) Area Health Education Centers.--Section 751(j)(1) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294a(j)(1)) is amended by striking
``section'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``section $47,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2030.''.
(h) Education and Training Relating to Geriatrics.--Section 753(d)
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294c(d)) is amended by
striking ``appropriated'' and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting ``appropriated $48,245,000 for each of fiscal
years 2026 through 2030 for purposes of carrying out this section.''.
(i) National Center for Health Care Workforce Analysis.--Section
761(e)(1)(A) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294n(e)(1)(A))
is amended by striking ``2021 through 2025'' and inserting ``2026
through 2030''.
(j) Public Health Workforce Development.--Section 770(a) of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295e(a)) is amended by striking
``appropriated'' and all that follows through the period at the end and
inserting ``appropriated $18,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026
through 2030.''.
(k) Pediatric Specialty Loan Repayment Program.--Section 775(e) of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295f(e)) is amended by
striking ``appropriated'' and all that follows through the period at
the end and inserting ``appropriated to carry out this section
$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030.''.
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