AAPA Responds to Senate HELP Request for Healthcare Provider Input on Workforce Solutions

March 22, 2023

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) underscored the need to reduce provider barriers that interfere with optimizing patient care in the organization’s comments submitted to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

The comments were provided in response to a request for input from healthcare providers and stakeholders on the root causes of the current healthcare workforce shortage and potential ways to address it issued by HELP Chair Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-La.)

“AAPA recognizes the complex and multifaceted issues surrounding the challenges facing the healthcare workforce in the United States, especially on the heels of a global pandemic and record levels of burnout,” AAPA stated in its comments.

“AAPA applauds the committee for their ongoing dedication to ensuring that all Americans have access to high-quality healthcare. As our nation’s population continues to age and additional factors increase demand for healthcare services, we know PAs can be an integral part of the solution…

“As the committee considers policies to ensure timely access to high-quality care for all patients, AAPA encourages the committee to embrace opportunities to reduce provider barriers and burdens wherever they interfere with optimizing patient care and access. AAPA also encourages the committee to reauthorize current programs to address workforce challenges…”

In its comments, AAPA included five formal requests that are within the jurisdiction of the HELP Committee, including the following:

1. Reauthorize the National Health Service Corps
2. Support programs to enhance workforce diversity and community representation
3. Fully fund Title VII and Title VIII and ensure additional clinical preceptor funding
4. Fund postgraduate fellowships for PAs
5. Support the PA Higher Education Modernization Act

For more information, contact Tate Heuer, AAPA Vice President, Federal Advocacy, at [email protected].

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