HPNEC Recommendations for FY 2027 Funding for Title VII and Title VIII

Dear Chair Aderholt, Ranking Member DeLauro, Chair Capito, and Ranking Member Baldwin:

The undersigned members of the Health Professions and Nursing Education Coalition (HPNEC)— which advocates continued support for the health professions and nursing workforce development programs authorized under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act and administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) — recommends at least $1.59 billion for HRSA Titles VII health professions and VIII nursing workforce development programs in fiscal year (FY) 2027.

HRSA Title VII health professions and VIII nursing workforce development programs successfully recruit, train, and support physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, geriatricians, mental and behavioral health providers, public health practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, and other frontline health care workers critical to addressing the nation’s health needs. Moreover, these programs deliver results where they are needed most, training providers to practice across the United States, including in rural and underserved communities, focusing on interprofessional education and workforce retention.

As our nation faces dire current and future health workforce shortages, Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs help further support a high- quality and well-educated health workforce, which ultimately improves patients’ access to care. These key programs support pathways to health careers; strengthen the primary care and specialty care workforces; enhance interdisciplinary care and community-based linkages; support a robust nursing workforce; bolster the public health and oral health workforces; and provide high-quality health workforce projections and analysis. These programs have become increasingly important as new regulations take effect, which may inadvertently deter students from pursuing in-demand health care fields.

HPNEC members appreciate that lawmakers provided funding for all the previously funded HRSA Title VII and VIII programs in FY 2026. We urge lawmakers to continue their commitment to these programs by providing additional investments into all Title VII and VIII programs and ensuring such programs remain in place in the coming fiscal year and beyond. While HPNEC members acknowledge the increasing demands and fiscal challenges facing appropriators, funding for HRSA’s health professions and nursing workforce development programs is critical in bolstering a workforce that can respond to future health threats and challenges facing all Americans. Therefore, HPNEC urges that the HRSA Title VII and VIII programs receive at least $1.59 billion in FY 2027.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Andrea Price-Carter, HPNEC Executive Director, at apricecarter@aamc.org, or Emily Prest, HPNEC Coalition Manager, at eprest@aamc.org.

Sincerely,

AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges)

Academic Pediatric Association

America’s Essential Hospitals

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research

American Association of Colleges of Nursing

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

American Association of Colleges of Podiatric Medicine

American Association of Nurse Practitioners

American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP)

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

American College of Osteopathic Internists

American College of Physicians

American College of Preventive Medicine

American Dental Education Association

American Geriatrics Society

American Pediatric Society

American Psychological Association

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

Association of Department Chairs of Family Medicine

Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors

Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs

Association of Minority Health Professions Schools

Association of Rehabilitation Nurses

Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions

Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

Children’s Hospital Association

Council on Social Work Education

Eldercare Workforce Alliance

Heart Failure Society of America

Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association

NAPCRG

National AHEC Organization

National Association for Geriatric Education

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

National Hispanic Health Foundation

National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA)

National League for Nursing

National Medical Fellowships

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties

Oncology Nursing Society

PA Education Association

Pediatric Policy Council

Society for Pediatric Research

Society of General Internal Medicine

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine