Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2017

Summary: Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2017 This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to assist qualified individuals in receiving the education and training needed to become a physician assistant. Graduate students enrolled in physician assistant education programs are eligible for: (1) increased Unsubsidized Stafford Loan limits, and (2) loan forgiveness programs for those who serve in areas of national need upon graduation. The Department of Education (ED) must:  provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions with grants to fund physician assistant studies at the masters level, prioritize the awarding of grants for physician assistant education programs at the postbaccalaureate level that will benefit Hispanics and low-income students, and  provide grants to prepare certified physician assistants to become faculty members in accredited graduate-level physician assistant education programs.    In addition, ED is authorized to award grants to rural-serving institutions of higher education for: (1) increasing enrollment and graduation rates of students from rural areas in postbaccalaureate physician assistant education programs, and (2) training physician assistants in rural areas through the creation and expansion of physician assistant education programs in rural areas. ED may also award grants to physician assistant education programs for enhancing the programs and improving patient safety by supporting the purchase of new infrastructure and technology. 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Physician Assistant Higher Education 
Modernization Act of 2017''.

SEC. 2. INCREASING ANNUAL LOAN LIMITS FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDENTS 
              UNDER THE FEDERAL DIRECT LOAN PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--Section 455 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1087e) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(r) Increasing Annual Loan Limits for Physician Assistant 
Students.--Notwithstanding section 428H(d)(2)(A), the maximum annual 
amount of Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans that a graduate 
student in a physician assistant education program (as defined in 
section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p)) may 
borrow in any academic year (as defined in section 481(a)(2)) or its 
equivalent shall be--
            ``(1) $40,000 in the first academic year of such program;
            ``(2) $40,000 in the second academic year of such program; 
        and
            ``(3) $15,000 in the third academic year of such 
        program.''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
with respect to award years beginning more 60 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 3. MAKING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS ELIGIBLE FOR INCENTIVES WHEN 
              SERVING AS PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS OR FACULTY MEMBERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 428K of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1078-11) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(19) Physician assistants.--The individual is a physician 
        assistant employed full-time--
                    ``(A) as a physician assistant in a clinical 
                setting providing primary care services; or
                    ``(B) as a member of the physician assistant 
                faculty at a physician assistant education program (as 
                defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 295p)).'';
            (2) in subsection (g), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(11) Physician assistant.--The term `physician assistant' 
        means an individual who--
                    ``(A) graduated from a physician assistant 
                education program (as defined in section 799B of the 
                Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p));
                    ``(B) is certified as a physician assistant by the 
                National Commission on the Certification of Physician 
                Assistants or any successor organization; and
                    ``(C) either--
                            ``(i) holds a valid and unrestricted 
                        license to practice medicine as a physician 
                        assistant in the State in which the physician 
                        assistant practices in a clinical setting; or
                            ``(ii) is qualified for licensure in the 
                        State where the individual is employed as a 
                        full-time physician assistant faculty member of 
                        a physician assistant education program (as 
                        defined in section 799B of the Public Health 
                        Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p)).''; and
            (3) in subsection (h), by striking ``fiscal year 2009'' and 
        inserting ``fiscal year 2018''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to employment occurring on or after the date of the 
enactment of this Act.

SEC. 4. GRANTS FOR PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAMS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK 
              COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AND PREDOMINANTLY BLACK 
              INSTITUTIONS.

    (a) Historically Black Colleges and Universities.--Section 723 of 
the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1136a) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``physician 
        assistant studies,'' after ``allied health,'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting ``physician 
        assistant studies,'' after ``allied health,''; and
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``physician 
                assistant studies,'' after ``allied health,'';
                    (B) in paragraph (11), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (C) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph 
                (13); and
                    (D) by inserting after paragraph (11) the 
                following:
            ``(12) in the case of a grant for a physician assistant 
        education program (as defined in section 799B of the Public 
        Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p))--
                    ``(A) creating or improving facilities for Internet 
                or other distance education technologies, including 
                purchase or rental of telecommunications technology 
                equipment or services; and
                    ``(B) collaborating with other institutions of 
                higher education to expand postbaccalaureate degree 
                offerings; and''.
    (b) Predominantly Black Institutions.--Section 724 of the Higher 
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1136b) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting ``physician 
        assistant studies,'' after ``allied health,'';
            (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting ``physician 
        assistant studies,'' after ``allied health,''; and
            (3) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``physician 
                assistant studies,'' after ``allied health,'';
                    (B) by redesignating paragraph (12) as paragraph 
                (13); and
                    (C) by inserting after paragraph (11) the 
                following:
            ``(12) in the case of a grant for a physician assistant 
        education program (as defined in section 799B of the Public 
        Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p))--
                    ``(A) creating or improving facilities for Internet 
                or other distance education technologies, including 
                purchase or rental of telecommunications technology 
                equipment or services; and
                    ``(B) collaborating with other institutions of 
                higher education to expand postbaccalaureate degree 
                offerings; and''.
    (c) Extension of Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsections (a) 
and (b) of section 725 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1136c) are each amended by striking ``fiscal year 2009'' and inserting 
``fiscal year 2018''.

SEC. 5. PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT POSTBACCALAUREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 
              HISPANIC AMERICANS.

    (a) In General.--Section 514 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 1102c) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Priority for Physician Assistant Education Programs.--The 
Secretary shall give preference to an application by an eligible 
institution for a grant under this part that demonstrates that the 
grant funds awarded under this part will be used to support physician 
assistant education programs (as defined in section 799B of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p)).''.
    (b) Extension of Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 
528(a)(2) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1103g(a)(2)) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking ``$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and''; 
        and
            (2) by inserting after ``such sums as may be necessary 
        for'' the following: ``fiscal year 2018 and''.

SEC. 6. GRANTS TO RURAL SERVING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR 
              PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Part Q of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1161q) is amended--
            (1) in section 861(b), by striking ``For the purposes of 
        this section'' and inserting ``For the purposes of this part''; 
        and
            (2) by inserting after section 861 the following:

``SEC. 862. GRANTS TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF 
              PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION PROGRAMS AT RURAL-SERVING 
              INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

    ``(a) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
        grants on a competitive basis to a rural-serving institution of 
        higher education or a consortium of such institutions--
                    ``(A) to increase, for students from rural areas, 
                enrollment and graduation rates for postbaccalaureate 
                physician assistant education programs; and
                    ``(B) to train physician assistants in rural areas 
                through the development of new physician assistant 
                education programs and the expansion of existing 
                physician assistant education programs in rural areas.
            ``(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall 
        be awarded for a period of not longer than 3 years.
            ``(3) Limitations.--A rural-serving institution of higher 
        education or a consortium of such institutions shall not 
        receive more than one grant under this section.
    ``(b) Applications.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each rural-serving institution of higher 
        education or consortium of such institutions desiring a grant 
        under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application 
        at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
        as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applications that demonstrate 
        the most potential and propose the most promising and 
        innovative approaches for--
                    ``(A) creating new physician assistant education 
                programs in rural areas;
                    ``(B) increasing the number of physician assistants 
                that practice medicine in rural areas;
                    ``(C) meeting the employment needs of regional 
                employers of physician assistants with graduates of 
                physician assistant education programs at rural-serving 
                institutions of higher education; and
                    ``(D) improving the health of Americans residing in 
                rural areas.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--A rural-serving institution of higher 
education or consortium of such institutions that receives a grant 
under this section shall use grant funds for the establishment and 
expansion of physician assistant education programs in rural areas.
    ``(d) Physician Assistant Education Program.--In this section, the 
term `physician assistant education program' has the meaning given to 
such term in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
295p).
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for fiscal year 2018 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.''.

SEC. 7. IMPROVING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    Title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is amended by 
inserting after section 898 (20 U.S.C. 1161aa-1) the following:

          ``PART BB--PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION ENHANCEMENT

``SEC. 899. DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM TO SUPPORT PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT 
              FACULTY PREPARATION.

    ``(a) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall provide grants to 
        not more than 10 institutions of higher education to develop, 
        expand, and support graduate-level programs to prepare 
        certified physician assistants to become physician assistant 
        faculty members in accredited graduate-level physician 
        assistant education programs through collaboration between such 
        a program and an institution of higher education that awards a 
        graduate degree in education.
            ``(2) Cap.--No institution of higher education may receive 
        more than an aggregate of $600,000 under this section during 
        fiscal years 2018, 2019, and 2020.
    ``(b) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--An institution of higher education 
        desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the 
        Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may 
        require, an application including--
                    ``(A) a description of the intended collaboration 
                to develop, expand, and support graduate-level programs 
                to prepare certified physician assistants to become 
                physician assistant faculty members in accredited 
                graduate-level physician assistant education programs; 
                and
                    ``(B) an estimate of the number of students who 
                will be affected by such collaboration.
            ``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to 
        applications that demonstrate the potential to maximize quality 
        instruction through the use of technology.
    ``(c) Report.--Not later than 18 months after the date of the first 
grant under this section, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a 
report that--
            ``(1) describes the steps taken to implement this section; 
        and
            ``(2) lists all recipients of grants under this section as 
        of the date of such submission.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        `institution of higher education' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101.
            ``(2) Physician assistant education program.--The term 
        `physician assistant education program' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 
        U.S.C. 295p).
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section 
for fiscal years 2018 through 2020.

``SEC. 899A. GRANTS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENTS IN 
              PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary is authorized to award 
        grants, on a competitive basis, to not more than 20 physician 
        assistant education programs to enhance physician assistant 
        education programs and improve patient safety by supporting the 
        purchase of new infrastructure and technology.
            ``(2) Duration.--A grant awarded under this section shall 
        be awarded for a period of not longer than five years.
    ``(b) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--A physician assistant education program 
        may apply for a grant under this section by submitting an 
        application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as 
        the Secretary may require that demonstrates how the grant funds 
        will be used to improve physician assistant education programs 
        and patient safety with respect to such programs.
            ``(2) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
        Secretary shall give priority to applications that demonstrate 
        the potential to--
                    ``(A) increase the number of physician assistant 
                graduates; and
                    ``(B) maximize accessibility to new and emerging 
                technologies, including human patient simulators for 
                physician assistant education programs, through 
                partnerships between the grant recipient and other 
                institutions of higher education.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--A physician assistant education program that 
receives a grant awarded under this section may use the grant for one 
or more of the following purposes:
            ``(1) Purchase, rental, or lease of scientific, medical or 
        laboratory equipment, including human patient simulators and 
        other new and emerging technologies, for education purposes, 
        including instructional and research purposes.
            ``(2) Construction, maintenance and renovation, and 
        improvement of classrooms, libraries, laboratories, and other 
        instructional facilities, including purchase or rental of 
        telecommunications technology equipment or services.
            ``(3) Supporting faculty training in the use of new and 
        emerging technologies, including human patient simulators.
            ``(4) Other activities proposed in the application 
        submitted pursuant to subsection (b) that--
                    ``(A) contribute to carrying out the purposes of 
                this section; and
                    ``(B) are approved by the Secretary as part of the 
                review and acceptance of such application.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Physician assistant education program.--The term 
        `physician assistant education program' has the meaning given 
        such term in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act (42 
        U.S.C. 295p).
            ``(2) Human patient simulator.--The term `human patient 
        simulator' means a computerized device that is anatomically 
        precise and responds physiologically to interventions.
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary 
for fiscal year 2018 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years.''.