Larson and Ways and Means Democrats Offer Comprehensive Plan to Address Nationwide Health Care Worker Shortage

Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. B. Larson (CT-01) announced the comprehensive Pathways to Health Careers Act, a plan introduced by Democrats on the Ways and Means Committee to address the nationwide health care worker shortage, authorizing and increasing funding for the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program.

The Pathways to Health Careers Actincludes Rep. Larson's Health Opportunities to Promote Equity (HOPE) Act, requiring the federal government to award at least two HPOG grants to each state, among 16 individual bills each introduced by a Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee.

"As our nation, and especially the State of Connecticut, faces a health care worker shortage, we need to do everything we can to invest in training programs that meet the needs of our care providers," said Social Security Subcommittee Ranking Member John B. Larson (CT-01). "I introduced the HOPE Actto ensure the federal government invests resources directly into growing Connecticut's health care workforce. I am proud to join with my colleagues to advance it today as part of a comprehensive plan to address this shortage. I will continue to work with my colleagues to invest in the next generation of health care workers ensure all residents have the support they need to secure good-paying jobs.

"Republicans' Big Ugly Law will cut hospital funding and create worker shortages, posing a serious risk to our nation's health," said Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01). "Renewing the Health Profession Opportunity Grant program will fortify our hospitals against these attacks by creating opportunities for workers to reskill into high-demand health care jobs. I am grateful for the Ways and Means Committee Democrats for their continued commitment to this impactful program."

"As our economy and health systems struggle due to damaging Republican policies, Congress must invest in proven programs that expand economic opportunity for working families and strengthen our health care," said Worker and Family Support Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny K. Davis (IL-07). "Modernizing the Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program will connect a new generation of workers with career pathways to in-demand health care jobs while addressing barriers to employment. I am proud to lead this bill and thank my Democratic colleagues for their continued support of this successful program shown to create jobs and expand access to care."

Full bill text is available HERE.

A fact sheet on thePathways to Health Careers is availableHERE.

A section-by-section summary of the Pathways to Health Career Act is available HERE.

The comprehensive Pathways to Health Careers Act authorizes and increases funding for new Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) Program demonstration grants, and:

• Provides $10 million to help individuals with arrest or conviction records enter the health profession

• Clarifies that community colleges and technical colleges are eligible for the HPOG program

• Requires enrolled students in HPOG programs to earn industry-recognized credentials, ensuring the training they receive results in a job

• Guarantees that every state will receive at least two HPOG program awards

• Gives priority to applications that would train health care workers in rural communities

• Requires grantees to ensure that participants have access to transportation

• Requires grantees to provide support services that include basic education, English-language proficiency, and childcare

• Authorizes demonstration projects to train doulas, midwives, and other pregnancy and birth professions

• Requires all grant applicants to use publicly available labor market data to ensure they are training workers for in-demand jobs and those with a shortage of trained workers

• Requires each grantee's case management plan to offer a career coaching service as well as high quality mentoring and peer support

• Gives priority to grant applications that include partnerships among job training and education providers, state and local government, and unions and employers

• Ensures funding to study the effects of HPOG projects, and to evaluate new demonstration projects

• Requires health care workforce training programs that receive federal funds to provide at least the minimum number of hours to meet state and industry standards

• Ensures that any cash stipend or emergency assistance a grantee may provide is not considered income

• Guarantees funding for grants to tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal colleges and universities

• Ensures that hospitals are considered an eligible entity to apply for, and receive grant funds

• Requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide targeted technical assistance with grant applications, implementation, and outcome reporting

• Requires HHS to continue providing in-person peer technical assistance to facilitate grantee-to-grantee peer learning

• Sets aside five percent of total funding for grants to U.S. territories

• Ensures that certain high-quality opioid treatment providers are considered an eligible entity to apply for, and receive grant funds