Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide loan repayment incentives for physician assistants, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017 2. Improvement activity credit for service as a clinical preceptor for physician assistant training Section 1848(q)(2)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(q)(2)(B)(iii) (VII) The subcategory of workforce development, such as through service as a preceptor at a clinical training site for students training to become physician assistants. . 3. Reauthorization of primary care training and enhancement programs Section 747(c) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 293k(c) (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after 2014 and each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking Fifteen At least 15 4. Grants for research on physician assistant education (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide grants to eligible entities to fund eligible researchers to increase research on physician assistant education. (b) Application An eligible entity 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. (c) Condition of receipt As a condition of receipt of a grant under this section, an entity shall each year award not fewer than eight eligible researchers funds to support physician assistant education research. (d) Report requirement An entity receiving a grant under this section shall provide to the Secretary with respect to each year that such entity receives funds under this section a report on the activities conducted using such funds, including— (1) the number of researchers supported during such year by such entity using such funds; (2) a list of the researchers counted under paragraph (1), organized by researcher, including— (A) the institution such researcher is affiliated with; and (B) the research topic of such researcher; (3) citations to published clinical and scientific research by researchers described in paragraph (1) that is attributable to support under this section; (4) an evaluation of the benefits of grants under this section; and (5) any other information the Secretary may request. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) is a nonprofit organization; and (B) has demonstrated expertise in physician assistant education and faculty development. (2) Eligible researcher The term eligible researcher (A) has demonstrated expertise in physician assistant education and faculty development; and (B) at such time and in such manner as such entity may require, provides such entity with a research proposal on improving physician assistant education and faculty development. (3) Physician assistant education The term physician assistant education (4) Secretary The term Secretary (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.

Summary: Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to include workforce development as a type of clinical practice improvement activity for purposes of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS). (MIPS adjusts Medicare payments to providers based on performance measures related to quality, cost, utilization of electronic health records, and clinical practice improvement activities.) The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend through FY2022 support provided by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the development, operation, expansion, and improvement of primary care training programs. HHS must award grants to nonprofit organizations to increase research on physician assistant education.