- Star Grassroots Advocates
- At the beginning of February, PAEA Immediate Past President Kara Caruthers, MSPAS, PA-C met with Health Resources and Services Administrator Carole Johnson as part of a roundtable on the Future of Primary Care to discuss the importance of expanding clinical placements at community health centers.
- Later in the month, PAEA President Linda Sekhon, DHSc, PA-C presented to HRSA’s Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry. The presentation focused on the impact of COVID-19 on health professions education, PA education’s key lessons learned from the pandemic, and policy recommendations moving forward.
- Advancing PAEA’s Advocacy Agenda
- In response to recent model state legislation restricting EDI efforts at public institutions of higher education, the PAEA Board of Directors voted to issue a statement condemning such proposals.
- During the week of February 13, PAEA participated in meetings with Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee majority staff and House Education and Workforce Committee minority staff alongside our colleagues in the Federation of Associations of Schools of the Health Professions (FASHP) to advocate for the coalition’s priorities.
- On February 16, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hosted a hearing examining policy solutions to health workforce shortages entitled, “Examining Health Care Workforce Shortages: Where Do We Go From Here?” In response, PAEA submitted a statement for the record offering recommendations for future legislation to strengthen the health workforce.
- Health Care News in Washington
- On February 7, President Biden delivered his State of the Union address, identifying health care priorities for the upcoming year, such as reducing prescription drug costs.
- On February 8, the House Education and Workforce Committee hosted a hearing titled, “American Education in Crisis.” Higher education discussions centered on student loan debt, access to career training programs, and health workforce needs.
- Opportunities for Action
- It is critical that constituents advocate for strengthened health workforce investments to address provider shortages and their impact on the quality of care delivered to all communities. Please urge Congress to support increased funding for all Title VII health workforce development programs for fiscal year 2024 today.
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