Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021

To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve education opportunities for physician assistants, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021 2. Reinstatement of authority to make Federal direct subsidized stafford loans to physician assistants and other graduate health professions students (a) In general Section 455(a)(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1087e(a)(3) (B) Exceptions Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to— (i) an individual enrolled in course work specified in paragraph (3)(B) or (4)(B) of 484(b); or (ii) a graduate student in a— (I) physician assistant education program (as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 295p (II) any other health professions program, as determined by the Secretary. . (b) Inapplicability of title IV negotiated rulemaking and master calendar exception Sections 482(c) and 492 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1089(c) 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 (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 (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 fiscal year 2022 (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. 4. Grant eligibility 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 (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting physician assistant studies, allied health, (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting physician assistant studies, allied health, (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (4), by inserting physician assistant studies, allied health, (B) in paragraph (11), by striking and (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 (1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting physician assistant studies, allied health, (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by inserting physician assistant studies, allied health, (3) in subsection (d)— (A) in paragraph (4), by inserting physician assistant studies, 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 fiscal year 2009 fiscal year 2022 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 (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) (1) by striking $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and (2) by inserting fiscal year 2022 and such sums as may be necessary for 6. Supporting student matriculation and physician assistant education programs at rural serving institutions of higher education Section 861 of part Q of title VIII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1161q (1) in subsection (f)— (A) by striking three of the following four four of the following five (B) by adding at the end the following: (5) To improve health workforce distribution in rural areas by supporting health professions student matriculation or the development of new health professions programs, including physician assistant education programs (as defined in section 799B of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 295p ; and (2) in subsection (g), by striking fiscal year 2009 fiscal year 2022

Summary: Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021 This bill assists 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) Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans, and (2) loan forgiveness programs for those who serve in areas of national need upon graduation. The bill also requires the Department of Education to 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 Hispanic and low-income students, and allow certain grants to be used to support student matriculation and establish physician assistant education programs at rural-serving institutions of higher education.