The Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education and Learning (PRO-HEAL) Act (S. 4031), was introduced by Sens. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) on March 20. The legislation would allow the administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to fund grants to address the health care workforce shortage and expand programs that create pathways to health care careers.
Heinrich’s press release on the introduction of the PRO-HEAL Act includes a statement from Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, AAMC chief public policy officer, who said that “the AAMC is proud to endorse the PRO-HEAL Act, which will be an effective tool to increase patient access to health care by helping to address health care professions shortages nationwide.”
The PRO-HEAL Act would authorize new five-year HRSA grant awards to enable states and institutions of higher education to expand or create health care provider pathway programs. It would also make $215 million available to fund programs for eligible entities intended to serve rural or underserved communities, increase the number of health care professionals who are primary care providers, and focus on recruiting students from the state where the program is based.
- Washington Highlights