Health Professions Education, FY
2008 Funding
 |
|
|
Related Resources
AAMC Documents
|
|
Current Status
FY 2008 Funding
On July 18, the House of Representatives approved, 276-140, its
FY 2008 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education spending
bill. The bill provides $228.3 million for Title VII health professions
programs, a $43.6 million (23.6 percent) increase over FY 2007.
The Title VII Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity
Programs each receive $28.4 million, for a $16.6 million (139 percent)
increase and $24.5 million (618 percent) increase, respectively.
The primary care medicine and dentistry programs are level funded
at $48.9 million, while the Area Health Education Centers receive
a $2.5 million (8.9 percent) increase over the current funding level.
For Title VIII, the bill provides $165.6 million, a $15.9 million
(10.7 percent) increase over the current funding level.
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the
spending bill on June 21. The Committee provides $187.7 million
for Title VII, a $3.0 million (1.6 percent) increase. All programs
are funded at FY 2007 levels, except the Public Health, Preventive
Medicine, and Dental Public Health program, which receives a $1
million (12.6 percent) increase. The Senate Committee alos transfers
to Allied Health and Other Disciplines $2 million for dental workforce
programs previously funded under HRSA Program Management. The Senate
measure provides $169.7 million for Title VIII, a $20 million (13.4
percent) increase.
As in past years, the President's FY 2008 budget eliminates all
Title VII funds with the exception of the $10 million for Scholarships
for Disadvantaged Students (SDS). Unlike previous years, the Administration
also proposes to cut Title VIII nursing education programs to $105
million, a $45 million (30 percent) reduction below the FY 2006
level and the amount in the FY 2007 Joint Funding resolution (approximately
$150 million).
FY 2007 Funding
On February 15, the President signed a spending package to fund
much of the federal government for the remainder of FY 2007. The
measure provides $184.7 million for the Title VII health professions
programs, an increase of $39.5 million (27.2 percent) over FY 2006.
The additional Title VII funds include $32 million to restore the
geriatrics training programs to the FY 2005 level and an $8 million
(19.6 percent) increase for primary care programs. All other Title
VII programs and Title VIII programs are funded at FY 2006 levels.
AAMC Activity
A total of 54 Senators signed a letter urging appropriators to
restore funding for the Title VII programs to the FY 2005 level
of $300 million. The letter, sent on June 18 to Senate Labor-HHS-Education
Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and Ranking
Member Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), was originally submitted May 4 with
39 signatures. The authors of the letter, Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.)
and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), reopened the letter on May 15 to accommodate
additional signatures. The final list included Majority Leader Harry
Reid (D-Nev.), 10 members of the Appropriations Committee, and 13
Republicans. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers
(R-Wash.) circulated a similar letter in the House. The letter was
submitted March 16 signed by 98 Members of Congress.
The AAMC sent a June 1, 2006 letter to all Members of Congress,
signed by over 100 AAMC medical school and teaching hospital member
institutions, urging the restoration of Title VII funds to the FY
2005 level of $300 million in the FY 2007 budget. In Spring 2006,
the AAMC conducted a survey of HCOP and COE program directors, finding
that cuts to Title VII jeopardize progress in addressing health
disparities among minority, underserved, and rural populations.
The AAMC continues to compile HCOP and COE "Profiles of Success,"
featuring the many students who have benefited from participation
in the programs.
AAMC, as part of the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition
(HPNEC), meets with Members of Congress, sends letters, submits
testimony, and participates in Capitol Hill events to advocate increased
funding for the programs. HPNEC issued a statement on February 7,
criticizing the President's FY 2008 Budget Request.
Background
Title VII and Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act authorize
a variety of grants for students, programs, and institutions to
improve the racial and ethnic diversity, geographic distribution,
and quality of the health care work force. These programs are designed
to meet the nation's needs by increasing the supply of primary medical
and dental care providers and public health and allied health professionals,
training more health professionals in fields experiencing shortages,
improving the geographic distribution of health professionals, expanding
access to health care in underserved areas, and enhancing minority
representation in the pool of practicing health professionals.
As this nation's health care delivery system undergoes rapid and
dramatic changes, an appropriate supply and distribution of health
professionals has never been more essential to the public's health.
The Titles VII and VIII programs are critical to help institutions
and programs respond to these current and emerging challenges and
insure that all Americans have access to appropriate and timely
health services.
Contacts
Tannaz Rasouli, Legislative Analyst
AAMC Government Relations
trasouli@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
|
