{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://juliejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bipartisan-bill-address-health-care-workforce-shortage", "Johnson Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Address Health Care Workforce Shortage", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "TX", "Julie Johnson", "J000310", "juliejohnson.house.gov", "juliejohnson", "https://juliejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2014 Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32), along with Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), introduced the bipartisan Fast Track Health Care Apprenticeships Act, which incentivizes innovative approaches to address the health care workforce shortage by streamlining apprenticeships and offering a pathway to good-paying jobs.\n\nSpecifically, this bill amends the National Apprenticeship Act to streamline and update federal and state labor agencies\u2019 health care apprenticeship application process by:\n\nRequiring federal and state labor agencies to make determinations on health care apprenticeship applications within 45 days of receipt.\n\nRequiring that the Department of Labor digitize apprenticeship agreement forms, modernize the application process and enhance accessibility for applicants.\n\n\u201cOur health care workforce is stretched to its limit, and families in Texas are feeling it in longer wait times, higher costs, and fewer options for care,\u201d said Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32). \u201cThe Fast Track Health Care Apprenticeships Act strengthens our workforce pipeline by making it easier and faster for aspiring health care professionals to get trained and step into good-paying, stable jobs. By streamlining this process and reducing barriers for employers, we can expand access to care in every community and help bring down costs for patients. This bipartisan, commonsense effort supports workers, supports providers, and ensures that every family can rely on a health care system that\u2019s accessible, affordable, and built to meet their needs.\u201d\n\n\u201cUtah\u2019s hospitals, clinics, and families feel the strain of our national health care workforce shortage every day. As a family doctor, I know firsthand that strong patient care depends on having enough trained professionals,\u201d said Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03). \u201cStreamlining apprenticeship pathways is a practical, commonsense step that will help build our workforce and in communities across the country. I\u2019m proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver real results for the American people.\u201d\n\nThe American Hospital Association projects a shortage of nearly 100,000 critical health care workers by 2028, underscoring the urgent need to strengthen the workforce pipeline. The Department of Labor\u2019s apprenticeship programs already serve a wide range of professions \u2014 from registered nurses and pharmacy technicians to medical and dental assistants, surgical technologists, paramedics, and behavioral health paraprofessionals.\n\nBy cutting red tape and expanding access to these programs, Congress can help employers train the next generation of health care professionals and bolster the resilience and long-term stability of our health care system.\n\nTo read the full text of the bill, click here.\n\nCongresswoman Julie Johnson represents Texas\u2019s 32nd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, serving on the Homeland Security Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her district includes parts of Collin, Dallas, and Denton Counties.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://juliejohnson.house.gov/media/press-releases/johnson-introduces-bipartisan-bill-address-health-care-workforce-shortage"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.1744919940829277, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}