HR3590 Health Care Bill & Government Health Insurance

With the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the expectation that most Americans will have access to quality health care, there is a need for a well-equipped primary health care workforce, both in terms of skills and equipment. The announcement, therefore, by Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the Department of Health and Human Services of an infusion of $250 million in investments towards the strengthening of the primary health care workforce is appropriate.

The announcement was released on Wednesday by Secretary Sebelius, along with U.S. Representative Lois Capps, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Administrator Dr. Mary Wakefield, and HHS Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard K. Koh.

The United States needs to ensure that primary health care providers are skilled, but that there are enough of them to cater to the needs of its citizens. Otherwise, the end goal of health care reform and what it stands for will be for naught.

Secretary Sebelius shared the following information: “These new investments will strengthen our primary care workforce to ensure that more Americans can get the quality care they need to stay healthy…  These investments build on the Administration’s strong commitment to training the primary care doctors and nurses of tomorrow and improving both health care quality and access for Americans throughout the country.”

The investment has been allocated to provide new resources for such needs as the creation of additional slots for primary care residency, support for physician assistant training in primary care, encouraging students to pursue full-time nursing careers, the establishment of nurse practitioner-led clinics, and encouraging states to meet the health professional workforce needs.