#aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bgha ,,an ,,act ,to amend title ,,vii of the ,public ,health ,service ,act to reauthorize certain programs relating to the health professions workforce1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,educating ,medical ,professionals and ,optimizing ,workforce ,efficiency and ,readiness for ,health ,act of #bjai or the ,,empower for ,health ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,reauthorization of health professions workforce programs 7a7 ,centers of excellence ,subsection 7i7 of section #gcf of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bic7 is amended to read as follows3 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #bd1hig1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 4 7b7 ,health professions training for diversity ,section #gdj of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bic;d7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 by striking #ea1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaj1 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years #bjaa through #bjad and inserting #ea1dai1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd2 7#b7 in subsection 7b71 by striking #e1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjaj through #bjad and inserting #a1bej1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd2 and 7#c7 in subsection 7c71 by striking #fj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaj and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years #bjaa through #bjad and inserting #bj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 7c7 ,primary care training and enhancement ,section #gdg7;c77#a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bick7c77#a77 is amended by striking #abe1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaj1 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjaa through #bjad and inserting #ea1cga1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 7d7 ,training in general1 pediatric1 and public health dentistry ,section #gdh7;f7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bick-#b7;f77 is amended by striking #cj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaj and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years #bjaa through #bjae and inserting #db1gjg1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 7e7 ,area health education centers ,section #gea7;j77#a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bid;a7j77#a77 is amended by striking #abe1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjaj through #bjad and inserting #db1jge1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 7f7 ,national ,center for ,healthcare ,workforce ,analysis 7#a7 ,in general ,section #gfa7;e77#a77;,a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bidn7e77#a77;,a77 is amended by striking #g1ejj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjaj through #bjad and inserting #e1idg1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 7#b7 ,technical correction ,section #gfa7;e77#b7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bidn7e77#b77 is amended by striking subsection 7a7 and inserting paragraph 7#a74 7g7 ,public health workforce ,section #ggj7;a7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bie;e7a77 is amended by striking #dc1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjaa1 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years #bjab through #bjae and inserting #ag1hej1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 #c4 ,education and training relating to geriatrics ,section #gec of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bid;c7 is amended to read as follows3 #gec4 ,education and training relating to geriatrics 7a7 ,geriatrics workforce enhancement programs 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall award grants or contracts under this subsection to entities described in paragraph 7#a71 7#c71 or 7#d7 of section #gii;,b1 section #hja7b71 or section #hfe7;d71 or other health professions schools or programs approved by the ,secretary1 for the establishment or operation of geriatrics workforce enhancement programs that meet the requirements of paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,requirements ,a geriatrics workforce enhancement program meets the requirements of this paragraph if such program supports the development of a health care workforce that maximizes patient and family engagement and improves health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties4 ,special emphasis should be placed on providing the primary care workforce with the knowledge and skills to care for older adults and collaborating with community partners to address gaps in health care for older adults through individual1 system1 community1 and population level changes4 ,areas of programmatic focus may include the following3 7,a7 ,transforming clinical training environments to integrated geriatrics and primary care delivery systems to ensure trainees are well prepared to practice in and lead in such systems4 7,b7 ,developing providers from multiple disciplines and specialties to work interprofessionally to assess and address the needs and preferences of older adults and their families and caregivers at the individual1 community1 and population levels with cultural and linguistic competency4 7,c7 ,creating and delivering community-based programs that will provide older adults and their families and caregivers with the knowledge and skills to improve health outcomes and the quality of care for such adults4 7,d7 ,providing ,alzheimer's disease and related dementias 7,,adrd7 education to the families and caregivers of older adults1 direct care workers1 health professions students1 faculty1 and providers4 7#c7 ,duration ,the ,secretary shall award grants and contracts under paragraph 7#a7 for a period not to exceed five years4 7#d7 ,application ,to be eligible to receive a grant or contract under paragraph 7#a71 an entity described in such paragraph shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 including the specific measures the applicant will use to demonstrate that the project is improving the quality of care provided to older adults in the applicant's region1 which may include-- 7,a7 improvements in access to care provided by a health professional with training in geriatrics or gerontology2 7,b7 improvements in family caregiver capacity to care for older adults2 7,c7 patient outcome data demonstrating an improvement in older adult health status or care quality2 and 7,d7 reports on how the applicant will implement specific innovations with the target audience to improve older adults' health status or the quality of care4 7#e7 ,equitable geographic distribution ,the ,secretary may award grants and contracts under paragraph 7#a7 in a manner which will equitably distribute such grants among the various regions of the ,united ,states4 7#f7 ,qualifications ,in awarding grants and contracts under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall consider programs that-- 7,a7 have the goal of improving and providing comprehensive coordinated care of older adults1 including medical1 dental1 and psychosocial needs2 7,b7 demonstrate coordination with other programmatic efforts funded under this program or other public or private entities2 7,c7 support the training and retraining of faculty1 preceptors1 primary care providers1 and providers in other specialties to increase their knowledge of geriatrics and gerontology2 7,d7 provide clinical experiences across care settings1 including ambulatory care1 hospitals1 post-acute care1 nursing homes1 federally qualified health centers1 and home and community-based services2 7,e7 emphasize education and engagement of family caregivers on disease self-management1 medication management1 and stress reduction strategies2 7,f7 provide training to the health care workforce on disease self-management1 motivational interviewing1 medication management1 and stress reduction strategies2 7,g7 provide training to the health care workforce on social determinants of health in order to better address the geriatric health care needs of diverse populations with cultural and linguistic competency2 7,h7 integrate geriatrics competencies and interprofessional collaborative practice into health care education and training curricula for residents1 fellows1 and students2 7,i7 substantially benefit rural or underserved populations of older adults or conduct outreach to communities that have a shortage of geriatric workforce professionals2 7,j7 integrate behavioral health competencies into primary care practice1 especially with respect to elder abuse1 pain management1 and advance care planning2 or 7,k7 offer short-term intensive courses that-- 7i7 focus on geriatrics1 gerontology1 chronic care management1 and long-term care that provide supplemental training for faculty members in medical schools and other health professions schools or graduate programs in psychology1 pharmacy1 nursing1 social work1 dentistry1 public health1 allied health1 or other health disciplines1 as approved by the ,secretary2 and 7ii7 are open to current faculty1 and appropriately credentialed volunteer faculty and practitioners1 to upgrade their knowledge and clinical skills for the care of older adults and adults with functional and cognitive limitations and to enhance their interdisciplinary teaching skills4 7#g7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under paragraph 7#a71 particularly with respect to awarding1 in fiscal year #bjbj1 any amount appropriated for such fiscal year for purposes of carrying out this subsection that is in excess of the amount appropriated for the most previous fiscal year for which appropriations were made for such purposes1 the ,secretary may give priority to entities that operate-- 7,a7 in communities that have a shortage of geriatric workforce professionals2 and 7,b7 in ,states in which no entity has previously received an award under such paragraph 7including as in effect before the date of enactment of the ,educating ,medical ,professionals and ,optimizing ,workforce ,efficiency and ,readiness for ,health ,act of #bjai74 7#h7 ,award amounts ,awards under paragraph 7#a7 shall be in an amount determined by the ,secretary4 ,entities that submit applications under this subsection that describe a plan for providing geriatric education and training for home health workers and family caregivers are eligible to receive #ajj1jjj per year more than entities that do not include a description of such a plan4 7#i7 ,reporting ,each entity awarded a grant under paragraph 7#a7 shall submit an annual report to the ,secretary on financial and programmatic performance under such grant1 which may include factors such as the number of trainees1 the number of professions and disciplines1 the number of partnerships with health care delivery sites1 the number of faculty and practicing professionals who participated in continuing education programs1 and such other factors as the ,secretary may require4 7b7 ,geriatric ,academic ,career ,awards 7#a7 ,establishment of program ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to award grants1 to be known as ,geriatric ,academic ,career ,awards1 to eligible entities applying on behalf of eligible individuals to promote the career development of such individuals as academic geriatricians or other academic geriatrics health professionals4 7#b7 ,eligibility 7,a7 ,eligible entity ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term eligible entity means-- 7i7 an accredited school of allopathic medicine1 osteopathic medicine1 nursing1 social work1 psychology1 dentistry1 pharmacy1 or allied health2 or 7ii7 another type of accredited health professions school or graduate program deemed by the ,secretary to be eligible under this subsection4 7,b7 ,eligible individual 7i7 ,in general ,for purposes of this subsection1 the term eligible individual means an individual who-- 7,i7 has a junior1 nontenured1 faculty appointment at an accredited school of allopathic medicine1 osteopathic medicine1 nursing1 social work1 psychology1 dentistry1 pharmacy1 or allied health or at another type of accredited health professions school or graduate program described in subparagraph 7,a77ii72 7,,ii7 7aa7 is board certified or board eligible in internal medicine1 family practice1 psychiatry1 or licensed dentistry1 or has completed the training required for the individual's discipline2 and 7bb7 is employed at an eligible entity2 or 7,,iii7 has completed an approved fellowship program in geriatrics or gerontology1 or has completed specialty training in geriatrics or gerontology as required for the individual's discipline and any additional geriatrics or gerontology training as required by the ,secretary4 7ii7 ,special rule ,if during the period of an award under this subsection respecting an eligible individual1 the individual is promoted to associate professor and thereby no longer meets the criteria of clause 7i77,i71 the individual may continue to be treated as an eligible individual through the term of the award4 7#c7 ,limitations ,an eligible entity may not receive an award under paragraph 7#a7 on behalf of an eligible individual unless the eligible entity-- 7,a7 submits to the ,secretary an application1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 and the ,secretary approves such application2 7,b7 provides1 in such form and manner as the ,secretary may require1 assurances that the eligible individual on whose behalf an application was submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 will meet the service requirement described in paragraph 7#h72 and 7,c7 provides1 in such form and manner as the ,secretary may require1 assurances that such individual has a full-time faculty appointment in an accredited health professions school or graduate program and documented commitment from such school or program to spend #ge percent of the individual's time that is supported by the award on teaching and developing skills in interprofessional education in geriatrics4 7#d7 ,requirements ,in awarding grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall give priority to eligible entities that apply on behalf of eligible individuals who are on the faculty of institutions that integrate geriatrics education1 training1 and best practices into academic program criteria2 7,b7 may give priority to eligible entities that operate a geriatrics workforce enhancement program under subsection 7a72 7,c7 shall ensure that grants are equitably distributed across the various geographical regions of the ,united ,states1 including rural and underserved areas2 7,d7 shall pay particular attention to geriatrics health care workforce needs among underserved populations1 diverse communities1 and rural areas2 7,e7 may not require an eligible individual1 or an eligible entity applying on behalf of an eligible individual1 to be a recipient of a grant or contract under this part2 and 7,f7 shall pay the full amount of the award to the eligible entity4 7#e7 ,maintenance of effort ,an eligible entity receiving an award under paragraph 7#a7 on behalf of an eligible individual shall provide assurances to the ,secretary that funds provided to such individual under this subsection will be used only to supplement1 not to supplant1 the amount of ,federal1 ,state1 and local funds otherwise expended by such individual4 7#f7 ,amount and term 7,a7 ,amount ,the amount of an award under this subsection for eligible individuals who are physicians shall equal #ajj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj1 adjusted for subsequent fiscal years to reflect the increase in the ,consumer ,price ,index4 ,the ,secretary shall determine the amount of an award under this subsection for individuals who are not physicians4 7,b7 ,term ,the term of any award made under this subsection shall not exceed #e years4 7#g7 ,service requirement ,an eligible individual on whose behalf an application was submitted and approved under paragraph 7#c77;,a7 shall provide training in clinical geriatrics or gerontology1 including the training of interprofessional teams of health care professionals4 7c7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #ea1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 ,notwithstanding the preceding sentence1 no funds shall be made available to carry out subsection 7b7 for a fiscal year unless the amount made available to carry out this section for such fiscal year is more than the amount made available to carry out this section for fiscal year #bjag4 4 #d4 ,investment in tomorrow's pediatric health care workforce ,section #gge of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bie;f7 is amended to read as follows3 #gge4 ,investment in tomorrow's pediatric health care workforce 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish and carry out a program of entering into pediatric specialty loan repayment agreements with qualified health professionals under which-- 7#a7 the qualified health professional agrees to a period of not less than #b years of obligated service during which the professional will-- 7,a7 participate in an accredited pediatric medical subspecialty1 pediatric surgical specialty1 child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialty1 or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health residency or fellowship2 or 7,b7 be employed full-time in providing pediatric medical subspecialty care1 pediatric surgical specialty care1 child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialty care1 or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care1 including substance use disorder prevention and treatment services1 in an area with-- 7i7 a shortage of health care professionals practicing in the pediatric medical subspecialty1 the pediatric surgical specialty1 the child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialty1 or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health1 as applicable2 and 7ii7 a sufficient pediatric population1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to support the addition of a practitioner in the pediatric medical subspecialty1 the pediatric surgical specialty1 the child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialty1 or child and adolescent mental and behavioral health1 as applicable2 and 7#b7 the ,secretary agrees to make payments on the principal and interest of undergraduate1 graduate1 or graduate medical education loans of the qualified health professional of not more than #ce1jjj a year for each year of agreed upon service under paragraph 7#a7 for a period of not more than #c years4 7b7 ,eligibility requirements 7#a7 ,pediatric medical specialists and pediatric surgical specialists ,for purposes of loan repayment agreements under this section with respect to pediatric medical subspecialty and pediatric surgical specialty practitioners1 the term qualified health professional means a licensed physician who-- 7,a7 is entering or receiving training in an accredited pediatric medical subspecialty or pediatric surgical subspecialty residency or fellowship2 or 7,b7 has completed 7but not prior to the end of the calendar year in which the ,educating ,medical ,professionals and ,optimizing ,workforce ,efficiency and ,readiness for ,health ,act of #bjai is enacted7 the training described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,child and adolescent psychiatry and mental and behavioral health ,for purposes of loan repayment agreements under this section with respect to child and adolescent mental and behavioral health care1 the term qualified health professional means a health care professional who-- 7,a7 has received specialized training or clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health in psychiatry1 psychology1 school psychology1 or psychiatric nursing2 7,b7 has a license or certification in a ,state to practice allopathic medicine1 osteopathic medicine1 psychology1 school psychology1 or psychiatric nursing2 or 7,c7 is a mental health service professional who has completed 7but not before the end of the calendar year in which the ,educating ,medical ,professionals and ,optimizing ,workforce ,efficiency and ,readiness for ,health ,act of #bjai is enacted7 specialized training or clinical experience in child and adolescent mental health described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#c7 ,additional eligibility requirements ,the ,secretary may not enter into a loan repayment agreement under this section with a qualified health professional unless-- 7,a7 the professional agrees to work in1 or for a provider serving1 an area or community with a shortage of eligible qualified health professionals 7as defined in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b772 7,b7 the professional is a ,united ,states citizen1 a permanent legal ,united ,states resident1 or lawfully present in the ,united ,states2 and 7,c7 if the professional is enrolled in a graduate program1 the program is accredited1 and the professional has an acceptable level of academic standing 7as determined by the ,secretary74 7c7 ,priority ,in entering into loan repayment agreements under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants who-- 7#a7 have familiarity with evidence-based methods and cultural and linguistic competence in health care services2 and 7#b7 demonstrate financial need4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd-- 7#a7 #cj1jjj1jjj to carry out this section with respect to loan repayment agreements with qualified health professionals described in subsection 7b77#a72 and 7#b7 #bj1jjj1jjj to carry out this section with respect to loan repayment agreements with respect to qualified health professionals described in subsection 7b77#b74 4 #e4 ,increasing workforce diversity in the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology ,title ,,vii of the ,public ,health ,service ,act is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating part ,g 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bie;j et seq47 as part ,h2 and 7#b7 by inserting after part ,f 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bidn et seq47 the following new part3 ,g ,increasing workforce diversity in the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology #ghc4 ,scholarships and ,stipends 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may award grants and contracts to eligible entities to increase educational opportunities in the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology for eligible individuals by-- 7#a7 providing student scholarships or stipends1 including for-- 7,a7 completion of an accelerated degree program2 7,b7 completion of an associate's1 bachelor's1 master's1 or doctoral degree program2 and 7,c7 entry by a diploma or associate's degree practitioner into a bridge or degree completion program2 7#b7 providing assistance for completion of prerequisite courses or other preparation necessary for acceptance for enrollment in the eligible entity2 and 7#c7 carrying out activities to increase the retention of students in one or more programs in the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology4 7b7 ,consideration of recommendations ,in carrying out subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall take into consideration the recommendations of national organizations representing the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology1 including the ,american ,physical ,therapy ,association1 the ,american ,occupational ,therapy ,association1 the ,american ,speech-,language-,hearing ,association1 the ,american ,academy of ,audiology1 and the ,academy of ,doctors of ,audiology4 7c7 ,required information and conditions for award recipients 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may require recipients of awards under this section to report to the ,secretary concerning the annual admission1 retention1 and graduation rates for eligible individuals in programs of the recipient leading to a degree in any of the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology4 7#b7 ,falling rates ,if any of the rates reported by a recipient under paragraph 7#a7 fall below the average for such recipient over the two years preceding the year covered by the report1 the recipient shall provide the ,secretary with plans for immediately improving such rates4 7#c7 ,ineligibility ,a recipient described in paragraph 7#b7 shall be ineligible for continued funding under this section if the plan of the recipient fails to improve the rates within the #a-year period beginning on the date such plan is implemented4 7d7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible entities ,the term eligible entity means an education program that-- 7,a7 is accredited by-- 7i7 the ,council on ,academic ,accreditation in ,audiology and ,speech-,language ,pathology or the ,accreditation ,commission for ,audiology ,education2 7ii7 the ,commission on ,accreditation in ,physical ,therapy ,education2 or 7iii7 the ,accreditation ,council for ,occupational ,therapy ,education2 and 7,b7 is carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students underrepresented in the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology 7including racial or ethnic minorities1 or students from disadvantaged backgrounds74 7#b7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means an individual who-- 7,a7 is a member of a class of persons who are underrepresented in the professions of physical therapy1 occupational therapy1 audiology1 and speech-language pathology 7including individuals who are racial or ethnic minorities1 or are from disadvantaged backgrounds72 7,b7 has a financial need for a scholarship or stipend2 and 7,c7 is enrolled 7or accepted for enrollment7 at an audiology1 speech-language pathology1 physical therapy1 or occupational therapy program as a full-time student at an eligible entity4 7e7 ,authorization of ,appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #e1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd4 4 ,passed the ,house of ,representatives ,october #bh1 #bjai4;,clerk4