Letter Encouraging Reauthorization of Health Workforce Programs

August 19, 2025

The Honorable Brett Guthrie Chair

Committee on Energy & Commerce

U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Frank Pallone Ranking Member

Committee on Energy & Commerce

U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Bill Cassidy, M.D. Chair

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Bernie Sanders Ranking Member

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions

U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

Dear Chair Guthrie, Chair Cassidy, Ranking Member Pallone and Ranking Member Sanders:

On behalf of the 67 undersigned organizations, we are writing to strongly urge swift consideration and advancement of legislation that would reauthorize the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs, which are set to expire at the end of fiscal year 2025 (September 30, 2025).

Together, our national organizations represent schools, students, health professionals, and communities focused on ensuring that the health workforce is prepared to meet the varied needs of our entire population and deliver excellent patient care. At the same time, we support programs that successfully recruit, educate, and train many different health professionals – including physicians, physician assistants, nurses, primary care providers, pediatric providers, dentists, geriatrics professionals, mental and behavioral health providers, public health practitioners, social workers, and other frontline health care workers. HRSA’s Title VII and VIII programs do just that and are all essential in educating current and future providers to work across the country, advancing new delivery systems, and enhancing interprofessional and integrated models of care. These programs produce real, measurable results and positive community impact. Studies show that Title VII and Title VIII programs increase the number of students from all backgrounds who are enrolled in health professions schools; heightens awareness of the factors contributing to differential health outcomes; and attract health professionals more likely to serve in underserved areas

Let’s keep the American healthcare system strong. To do that, it is imperative for Congress to swiftly consider and advance legislative proposals, such as the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness (EMPOWER) for Health Act (H.R. 4262) and the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3593/S. 1874), which would reauthorize the Title VII and VIII programs from FY 2026 through FY 2030. Reauthorization of the HRSA Title VII and VIII programs would allow our nation to continue to support a high- quality, well-educated and representative health workforce, which ultimately improves patients’ access to care and optimizes the health of America.

Congress must ensure the Title VII and Title VIII programs are able to continue to carry out critical work towards addressing health workforce shortages and preparing for the health care demands of the future. There is no substitute to the value that these programs bring to the healthcare workforce. To that end, our organizations strongly urge lawmakers to reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to building the next generation of health care professionals, by providing swift consideration and advancement of the HRSA Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs reauthorizations.

Sincerely,

Academic Pediatric Association Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine

American Academy of Family Physicians

American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

American Academy of Pediatrics

American Academy of Physician Associates

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 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 Association

American Dental Education Association American Geriatrics Society

American Nurses Association American Pediatric Society

American Physical Therapy Association American Podiatric Medical Association

American Psychological Association Services, Inc. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science

Association of American Medical Colleges Association of Chiropractic Colleges Association of Departments of Family Medicine

Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors Association of Medical School Pediatric Department Chairs Association of Minority Health Professions Schools Association of Public and Land-grant Universities 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 Clinical Nurse Specialists National Association of Community Health Centers National Association of Geriatric Education Centers

National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

National Council for Diversity in Health Professions National Hispanic Health Foundation

National Hispanic Medical Association National League for Nursing

National Medical Fellowships

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties National Rural Health Association

Oncology Nursing Society PA Education Association Pediatric Policy Council

Society for Pediatric Research Society for Public Health Education Society of General Internal Medicine

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine South Asian Public Health Association Student National Medical Association