April 2004 | Vol. 22/No. 4

New Bill Addresses Allied Health Professions Workforce Shortages

On March 23, Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) introduced H.R. 4016, the “Allied Health Professions Reinvestment Act of 2004” in the U.S. House of Representatives. Purpose of the Bill is to amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the education and training of allied health professionals in exchange for a service commitment. Rep. Stearns says that several allied health professions are characterized by workforce shortages, declining enrollments in allied health education programs, or a combination of both factors, and hospital officials have reported vacancy rates in positions occupied by allied health professionals. Aspects of the Bill include state and local public service announcements, a scholarship program, possible award grants, and an education loan program. The Bill, which currently has only 1 co-sponsor, has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Its contents may be viewed at the following website: http://thomas.loc.gov/. SVU will monitor the status of this Bill, which could be of benefit to the vascular ultrasound profession.