(Dec. 16, 2008) During a brief lame duck session, Senator Hillary Clinton introduced the Health Professions and Primary Care Reinvestment Act (S. 3708), which was endorsed by AACOM and other organizations prior to its introduction. The legislation recognizes that primary care is a vital component of our health care system and that a well-trained primary care workforce is necessary for the success of health care reform efforts.
When introducing the legislation, Senator Clinton stated, “A stronger health workforce and a greater focus on prevention will help provide more Americans with access to necessary health care.” By encouraging more health professionals to pursue the practice of primary care and providing incentives for primary care training, this legislation builds upon the existing Title VII programs to foster the workforce necessary to provide high-quality, coordinated care for patients. The Title VII program has been operating under an expired authorization since September 2002, and this legislation is a first step toward reauthorizing the program. Although Senator Clinton has been selected to join the Obama administration, other members may adopt the provisions in this bill and introduce them as part of health-related legislation next Congress.
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