Bill Summary
The "Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act" is designed to enhance access to health professions for individuals by addressing two critical barriers: foundational educational training and child care. The legislation amends Section 2008 of the Social Security Act to require demonstration projects funded under the health profession opportunity grant program to provide essential support services.
Key provisions include:
1. **Foundational Educational Training**: The act mandates that projects assess adult basic skills and offer necessary education, such as improving English language proficiency and other basic skills. It encourages partnerships with educational providers to support participants in gaining these skills before pursuing health-related training.
2. **Child Care Support**: The legislation ensures that affordable and accessible child care is available for participants. This includes assisting with enrollment in subsidized child care programs and covering costs if such options are not available.
The aim is to help lower-skilled individuals successfully transition into health careers by equipping them with the necessary skills and support services, ultimately improving workforce diversity and addressing gaps in health professions. The amendments will take effect on October 1, 2025.
Possible Impacts
The "Essential Skills and Child Care for Health Professions Act" could affect people in the following ways:
1. **Increased Access to Education**: Individuals with lower basic skills or limited English proficiency may gain access to foundational educational training, such as adult basic education or English language classes. This support can facilitate their enrollment and success in health occupational training programs, ultimately leading to better job opportunities in the health professions.
2. **Child Care Support for Working Parents**: Participants in the program will have guaranteed access to affordable child care services. This can significantly ease the burden on single parents or caregivers who wish to pursue educational and career advancement in health professions, allowing them to focus on their training without worrying about child care logistics or costs.
3. **Long-Term Career Development**: The act includes provisions for ongoing support, such as career coaching and mentoring post-graduation. This can help individuals maintain their skills and advance in their careers within the health sector. By embedding adult basic skills maintenance in career development, it encourages continuous learning and professional growth, which can lead to better job stability and income potential.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5375 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5375
To remove barriers to health professions by providing resources to
access foundational educational training, such as English language
proficiency and adult basic education, and to require the provision of
child care, in demonstration projects funded under the health
profession opportunity grant program under section 2008 of the Social
Security Act.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 16, 2025
Ms. Chu introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Ways and Means
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To remove barriers to health professions by providing resources to
access foundational educational training, such as English language
proficiency and adult basic education, and to require the provision of
child care, in demonstration projects funded under the health
profession opportunity grant program under section 2008 of the Social
Security Act.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Essential Skills and Child Care for
Health Professions Act''.
SEC. 2. PROVISION OF FOUNDATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TRAINING AND CHILD CARE.
Section 2008 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397g) is
amended by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and
(e), respectively, and by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
``(c) Provision of Foundational Educational Training and Child
Care.--
``(1) Required support.--A demonstration project for which
a grant is made under this section shall include the following:
``(A) An assessment for adult basic skill
competency, and provision of adult basic skills
education if necessary for lower-skilled eligible
individuals to enroll in the project and go on to enter
and complete post-secondary training, through means
including the following:
``(i) Establishing a network of partners
that offer pre-training activities for project
participants who need to improve basic academic
skills or English language proficiency before
entering a health occupational training career
pathway program.
``(ii) Offering resources to enable project
participants to continue advancing adult basic
skill proficiency while enrolled in a career
pathway program.
``(iii) Embedding adult basic skill
maintenance as part of ongoing post-graduation
career coaching and mentoring.
``(B) A guarantee that child care is an available
and affordable support service for project participants
through means such as the following:
``(i) Referral to, and assistance with,
enrollment in a subsidized child care program.
``(ii) Direct payment to a child care
provider if a slot in a subsidized child care
program is not available or reasonably
accessible.
``(iii) Payment of co-payments or
associated fees for child care.
``(2) Allowed support.--The goods and services provided
under a demonstration project for which a grant is made under
this section may include assistance with accessing and
completing high school equivalency or adult basic education
courses as necessary to achieve success in the project and make
progress toward career goals.''.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on October 1,
2025.
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