The Updated Title VII and Title VIII Funding Chart is now available! The chart compares the FY 2011 president's budget request to the FY 2010 omnibus levels, as well as to the the levels enacted in FYs 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

On February 1, 2010 President Obama released his FY 2011 budget request. The president did not request increases for Title VII and Title VIII, with the exception of the Title VII Health Workforce Information and Analysis program, which recieve a $5.9 million increase over FY 2010. Flat funding levels were requested for the remaining programs.

The list of health professions grants for FY 2009 is now available! See a full list of Title VII and Title VIII grants by state for FYs 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

The FY 2010 HPNEC Brochure (PDF, 6 pages) is available! Contact Tannaz Rasouli at trasouli@aamc.org for copies.

In an April 2, 2009letter (PDF, 5 pages) to the House Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee Chair David Obey (D-WI) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), 68 Representatives call for restored funding to the Title VII programs. The letter was organized by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA).

In an April 1, 2009 letter (PDF, 8 pages) to the House Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee Chair David Obey (D-WI) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Todd Tiahrt (R-KS), 136 Representatives call for $215 million for the Title VIII programs in FY 2010. The letter was organized by Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) and Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ).

Dr. Tina Cheng testified before the House Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations Subcommittee on behalf of HPNEC on March 18, 2009. Dr. Cheng testified on behalf of HPNEC and the Title VII and VIII programs at the public witness hearings before the House Labor-HHS subcommittee. She spoke about the importance of the programs, especially in light of the current shortage of health professionals. Dr. Cheng presented HPNEC's recommendation that Titles VII and VIII be appropriated $550 million in FY 2010.

The President signs the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) February 17, 2009. ARRA directs $200 million to HRSA for all the disciplines trained through the primary care medicine and dentistry program, the public health and preventive medicine program, the scholarship and loan repayment programs authorized in Title VII (Health Professions) and Title VIII (Nurse Training) of the PHS Act, and grants to training programs for equipment. Funds may also be used to foster cross-State licensing agreements for healthcare specialists.

Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Pat Roberts led an April 4, 2009 letter (PDF, 3 pages) to Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee Chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Ranking Member Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), urging restored funding to the Title VII programs. A total of 49 Senators signed the letter.

Another April 4, 2009 letter (PDF, 4 pages) to the Subcommittee leadership was organized by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) regarding Title VIII funding. That letter was signed by 52 Senators.

As part of our effort to restore cuts to the programs, HPNEC is asking affected programs to forward information documenting the impact of these severe cuts on their providers, patients and communities. Please send examples and data to Tannaz Rasouli at trasouli@aamc.org.

HPNEC Background

The Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) is an informal alliance of more than 60 organizations representing a variety of schools, programs, health professionals and students dedicated to educating professional health personnel. Together, the members of HPNEC advocate for adequate and continued support for the health professions and nursing education programs authorized under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act. The members of the Coalition believe these programs are essential to the development and training of tomorrow's health professionals and are critical to providing continued health services to underserved and minority communities.

For more information on HPNEC activities or how to join, please contact Tannaz Rasouli, trasouli@aamc.org, HPNEC Director, or Shannon Curtis, scurtis@aamc.org, (202) 828-0525.