AAMC President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, and AAMC Chief Public Policy Officer Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, issued a July 15 statement affirming the AAMC’s strong support for the reauthorization of the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs. The statement was released ahead of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Health Subcommittee’s July 16 legislative hearing on proposals that addressed the reauthorization of legislation to expand the public health workforce and other topics.
During the hearing, several subcommittee members expressed concerns regarding the acute shortage of physicians and health professionals. Members also highlighted the need to train more providers to address nationwide shortages, particularly in light of President Donald Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request, which proposed a $1 billion cut to the health workforce, including the proposed elimination of funding for 15 workforce programs [refer to Washington Highlights, June 6].
Candice Chen, MD, MPH, acting associate administrator for Health Workforce at HRSA, testified before the subcommittee (PDF) about the importance of HRSA’s Title VII and VIII workforce development programs, which are set to expire at the end of the fiscal year on September 30. In response to questions raised by several subcommittee members, Chen reiterated that the programs are impactful in addressing workforce shortages and the distribution of physicians to underserved areas.