Dear Mr. President:

The undersigned members of the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC) would like to respond to the blueprint for the FY 2002 budget released on February 28. HPNEC is an informal alliance of over 40 organizations representing a variety of schools, programs, and individuals dedicated to ensuring that the health professions programs authorized under Title VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act continue to help educate the nation's health care and public health personnel.

While HPNEC applauds the Administration for supporting continued funding for nursing and diversity programs, we are deeply concerned by reductions proposed for other health professions programs. The budget blueprint states, "Today a physician shortage no longer exists. Moreover, the Federal role is questionable in this area given that these professions are well-paid and that market forces are much more influential in determining supply." This statement is troubling because serious health professions shortages continue to exist in rural and underserved areas, in part due to market forces driving health professionals to practice where higher wages are available. The health professions programs were designed to combat this pattern by educating and training providers with the goal that they return to serve in rural and underserved areas. Consequently, the graduates of these programs are 3-10 times more likely to practice in medically underserved areas than graduates of non-funded programs, and at times, they serve as the only source of health care in many disadvantaged communities.

HPNEC is pleased to see a significant increase proposed for the Community Health Centers, which provide needed care to the uninsured - one of our nation's most vulnerable populations. However, to provide quality care, these centers must be fully staffed by educated and trained health professionals. Much of this training is facilitated by Title VII and VIII programs. In addition, these programs address the growing shortages of nurses, dentists, pharmacists, allied health and public health professionals in areas throughout the country where vacancy rates of some professions have climbed as high as 40 percent. Many of the health professionals coming out of these programs are trained in the shortage areas and are familiar with the health needs of those populations, allowing for the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

Improvements to the health care system in this country are not effective without well-trained professionals to deliver the care. Increased funding for research and community outreach will not be properly utilized if the benefits cannot reach the people. HPNEC urges the Administration to consider the important role of Title VII and VIII health professions programs in assisting the Department of Health and Human Services to provide care to the underserved. Attached is a summary of the programs and justification for HPNEC's FY 2002 budget recommendation. Please contact Erica Froyd at 202-828-0525 with questions.

Sincerely,

HPNEC