Physician-Lawmaker Maxine Dexter Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Help Military Medics Transition into Civilian Health Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Today, Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03) and Congressman Abraham J. Hamadeh (AZ-08) introduced the Medic Education and Deployment into Civilian (MEDIC) Careers Act to grow the healthcare workforce by making it easier for military-trained healthcare personnel to transfer their skills to civilian careers.

Today, more than 173,000 healthcare personnel serve in the U.S. Armed Forces, including military medics who deliver critical care in combat zones, hospitals, and clinics. However, without a uniform civilian credentialing system, many veterans are forced to repeat training they've already completed-slowing their transition into the workforce or pushing them out of healthcare altogether. The MEDIC Careers Act aims to fix that by streamlining the path from military service to civilian health careers in rural or medically underserved areas. 

"Military medics save lives on the battlefield. We should make it easier, not harder, for them to do the same in our communities," said Dexter. "I am proud to introduce legislation that incentivizes the outcomes we want to see: a stronger healthcare workforce that brings us one step closer to ensuring every single American can access affordable, comprehensive healthcare in the community of their choosing."

The MEDIC Careers Act would: 

• Identify barriers to standardizing military medic training and aligning it with civilian credentialing requirements; 

• Evaluate the effectiveness of current transition assistance programs for military health care personnel; 

• Explore the impact of states clarifying equivalencies between military training and civilian health care licenses; and 

• Update an existing grant program to support hiring, training, and retention efforts.

Read bill text here.

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