{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-tokuda-introduce-strengthening-pathways-health-professions-act-0", "Miller, Tokuda Introduce Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act", "2024-12-10", "2024", "2024-12", "Republican", "House", "WV", "Carol D. Miller", "M001205", "miller.house.gov", "miller", "https://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Last week, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda (D-HI) introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act to increase access to federal programs that help grow and strengthen the pipeline of health care professionals in primary care, mental and behavioral health, and dental services.\n\n\u201cA shortage of health care workers in rural communities presents many challenges for hospitals and medical facilities trying to provide the best possible care for their patients. The Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act will extend the tax-exempt status provided to awards of the National Health Service Corps program which gives financial relief to health care personnel. Individuals in the health care industry should receive the full amount of the scholarship or grant they receive, and this legislation will help grow and strengthen the medical field,\u201d said Congresswoman Miller.\n\n\u201cThe shortage of healthcare workers in the United States has left millions of patients without access to the care they need while causing undue stress and strain on the current workforce. Without further action, tough working conditions and increased financial barriers will only continue to discourage more people from joining the profession. That\u2019s why I introduced the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act, which would boost the value of federal scholarships and loan repayment funds that support aspiring healthcare professionals and enable us to recruit and retain providers in rural and underserved areas. This bipartisan effort will help us fill critical gaps in our healthcare workforce to increase health systems\u2019 capacity and improve patient care and outcomes,\u201d said Congresswoman Tokuda.\n\n\u201cThe West Virginia Hospital Association applauds Rep. Carol Miller for her introduction of the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act. The health care workforce is the backbone of our medical system, and the Act is an important step in supporting our compassionate caregivers by allowing limited funds to have a greater impact on students choosing to enter health care and serve in rural communities. This will go a long way in supporting West Virginia hospitals and other facilities who continue to experience challenges in recruiting health care providers. We thank Rep. Miller for her continued commitment to health care in West Virginia,\u201d said Jim Kaufman President and CEO of the West Virginia Hospital Association.\n\n\u201cThe savings provided through the Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act will allow HRSA to make additional awards through several important Title VII and VIII workforce programs. Studies show that these programs increase the number of underrepresented students enrolled in health professions schools, heighten awareness of factors contributing to health disparities, and attract health professionals more likely to serve in rural and underserved areas,\u201d said Danielle Turnipseed, JD, MHSA, MPP, chief public policy officer at the Association of American Medical Colleges.\n\nClick here for bill text.\n\nThe bill is endorsed by 50 national and local organizations including the American College of Physicians, America\u2019s Essential Hospitals, Association of American Medical Colleges, National Association of Community Health Centers, National Rural Health Association, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, and West Virginia Hospital Association.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe Strengthening Pathways to Health Professions Act would provide tax-exempt status to certain federal scholarship and loan repayment programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) including the Nurse Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs, Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Recovery Loan Repayment Program, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program, and Faculty Loan Repayment Program.\n\nExempting scholarships and loan repayment awards from federal income tax would allow HRSA to make additional and higher awards to increase program participation.\n\nFurthermore, awardees\u2014students, residents, faculty, and providers\u2014would receive the full financial benefit of their awards to cover educational costs without the added tax burden.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"]], "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://miller.house.gov/media/press-releases/miller-tokuda-introduce-strengthening-pathways-health-professions-act-0"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.9704278782010078, "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"}