PRO-HEAL Act of 2024

Bill: 118-s-4031
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2024-03-21
Policy area: Health
Latest action: action_date: 2024-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4031 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 21, 2024 Mr. Heinrich (for himself and Mr. Casey ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To authorize the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Providing Resources and Opportunities for Health Education And Learning Act of 2024 or the PRO-HEAL Act of 2024 . 2. Grant program to expand or create health care provider pipelines (a) Definitions In this Act: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration. (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a State or institution of higher education. (3) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) ). (4) State The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and each of the outlying areas (as such term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 )). (b) Authorization of grants (1) In general The Administrator shall award grants, on a competitive basis, to eligible entities to enable the eligible entities to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs. (2) Duration Grants awarded under this section shall be for a term of not more than 5 years. (3) Reservation The Administrator shall reserve 25 percent of amounts made available to carry out this section to award grants to eligible entities that are eligible institutions described in section 371 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q ). (4) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Administrator shall give priority to— (A) programs designed to serve underserved or rural communities; (B) programs designed to increase the number of health care professionals who are primary care providers; or (C) eligible entities that intend to recruit a majority of individuals to participate in the health care provider pipeline program from within the same State as the eligible entity or in which the eligible entity is located. (c) Application An eligible entity that desires to receive a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Administrator at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Administrator may require. (d) Use of funds (1) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to expand or create health care provider pipeline programs that are designed to increase the number of one or more of the following groups of health care professionals: (A) Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine. (B) Physician Assistants. (C) Nurse Practitioners. (D) Nurses. (E) Emergency Medical Technicians. (F) Dentists. (G) Behavioral Health Providers. (2) Additional providers The Administrator may add to the list of health care professionals eligible for health care provider pipeline programs under paragraph (1) based on areas of need and shortages across the Nation. (e) Reports An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit a report to the Administrator, not later than 5 years after receiving the grant and at the end of the grant period, on the implementation of the health care provider pipeline program, including details on— (1) a breakdown of funding uses; (2) admission rates to the program; (3) admission criteria for the program; (4) demographics of admitted students; and (5) program drop-out rates. (f) Grants after reauthorization If the grant program under this section is authorized for a fiscal year after fiscal year 2029, the Administrator, in awarding grants after fiscal year 2029, shall give priority to eligible entities that have already received a grant under this section. (g) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $215,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2025 through 2029.