December 9, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 196 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page S6906]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Mr. REED (for himself, Mr. Enzi, and Ms. McSally):
  S. 2997. A bill to revise and extend health workforce programs under 
title VII of the Public Health Service Act; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing the Title VII 
Health Care Workforce Act of 2019 with Senator Enzi. This critical 
legislation would reauthorize funding for the Title VII health 
professions programs to help strengthen the distribution, quality, and 
diversity of the health professions workforce so it is better prepared 
to meet the Nation's evolving and emerging health care needs.
  The Title VII health professions programs have a longstanding history 
of increasing the supply of primary care professionals, expanding 
access to care in rural and urban underserved areas, and developing a 
workforce that reflects the nation's diversity and the needs of 
patients. At a time when the Country is facing health provider 
shortages, it is critical that we continue to support the programs that 
advance our health care workforce, such as: scholarships for 
disadvantaged students, public health and preventive medicine, 
geriatrics training, area health education centers, oral health 
training, and primary care medicine.
  These education and training programs guide current and aspiring 
health professionals to high-demand careers in areas of greatest need, 
and this legislation will take an important step in ensuring that these 
programs can continue to serve students and patients for years to come. 
I look forward to working with stakeholders supporting these efforts, 
including the American Association of Medical Colleges, as well as my 
colleague, Senator Enzi, to pass the Title VII Health Care Workforce 
Act of 2019, in addition to the bipartisan Investment in Tomorrow's 
Pediatric Health Care Workforce Act I introduced with Senator Cassidy, 
as these bills proceed though the legislative process.

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