President’s Budget Proposes New Investments in Health Workforce Development for Fiscal Year 2023
Late last month, the Biden administration released the president’s budget proposal for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Issued just several weeks after the enactment of omnibus appropriations legislation for the remainder of FY 2022, the president’s budget identifies the administration’s funding and programmatic priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and marks the beginning of the annual budget and appropriations process. Building upon policy advances achieved in the FY 22 omnibus law, the president’s budget for FY 23 proposes increased investments in Title VII and other health workforce development programs that play a critical role in supporting PA programs, faculty, and students.
In a particularly significant victory for PA education, the president’s budget proposes a $5 million increase to the Primary Care Training and Enhancement (PCTE) program, which supports clinical rotations in rural and underserved communities, primary care curriculum development, and other educational opportunities designed to encourage students to practice in primary care post-graduation. At FY 20 funding levels, the PCTE program supported the training of over 1,300 PA students nationwide with nearly one-third completing a portion of their clinical training in an underserved area.
In addition to supporting primary care training, the president’s budget also strengthens investments in programs intended to promote student and faculty diversity. Specifically, the administration proposes an increase of $3.05 million in the Health Careers Opportunity Program, which aims to strengthen the pipeline of individuals from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to careers in the health professions. The president’s budget further proposes a $1.08 million increase for the Faculty Loan Repayment Program, which aims to reduce barriers to health professions education for faculty from diverse backgrounds – a near doubling of the program’s current funding level.
Beyond support for PA programs and faculty, the president’s budget also recommends a $90 million increase for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) scholarship and loan repayment programs, which provide financial assistance to students and graduates in exchange for a service commitment in a health professional shortage area. Through increased investments in the NHSC made in the American Rescue Plan Act last year, the number of PA students participating in the NHSC has risen from 156 in FY 21 to 511 in FY 22 with PA students representing 20.2% of the total student pipeline, up from 10.2% in FY 21.
Throughout the FY 23 budget and appropriations process, PAEA’s Government Relations team will vigorously advocate for these proposals as well as further Title VII increases to equip programs, faculty, and students to best meet the needs of patients. Questions on the appropriations process can be directed to Tyler Smith at tsmith@PAEAonline.org.