House Subcommittee Holds Hearing Addressing Health Workforce and Primary Care Programs
Published May 02, 2023
By AACOM Government Relations
Advocacy Federal Policy GME Healthcare Workforce OME Advocate
- On Wednesday, April 19, 2023, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to examine various public health programs and their impacts on health workforce shortages and primary care. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Carole Johnson served on the witness panel.
- The Subcommittee focused on several programs important to AACOM and the osteopathic community that increase healthcare access in rural and underserved communities and bolster primary care, including:
- H.R. 2569, the Doctors of Community Act, sponsored by Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), would make the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) Program permanent and increase funding to $582.7 million by fiscal year 2033.
- THCGME Program Discussion Draft would extend the THCGME Program for three years. Administrator Johnson discussed the importance of expanding training opportunities in underserved communities and how the lack of guaranteed funding complicates recruitment, as the funds cannot be ensured through the full course of residency.
- H.R. 2559, the Strengthening Community Care Act of 2023, sponsored by Reps. David Joyce (R-PA), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), would extend funding for the Community Health Center (CHC) Fund and National Health Service Corps for five years.
- View the AACOM analysis to learn more.