The AAMC sent a letter to Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Subcommittee on Primary Care and Retirement Security Ranking Member Roger Marshall, MD (R-Kan.) on Sept. 19 regarding their recently introduced legislation, the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act (S. 2840) [refer to Washington Highlights, Sept. 15]. The AAMC noted in the letter that while the association appreciated the legislation’s intent to develop and expand the health care workforce, the intent would ultimately be undermined by numerous counterproductive policies that would impose cuts to teaching hospitals and health systems.
The HELP Committee marked up and passed the legislation on Sept. 21, with Chairman Sanders touting the bill as a bipartisan investment in the health care workforce. Ranking Member Bill Cassidy, MD (R-La.) vocally dissented to the legislation on both procedure and substance, lamenting the closed-door process through which the bill was developed.
- Washington Highlights