Improve recruitment of public health workers

Health bill includes new recruitment initiatives for public workers

Updated: Wednesday, July 15th, 2009 | By Angie Drobnic Holan

After months of talking about health care reform, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced major legislation to overhaul the nation's health care system. House Democrats unveiled the 1,000-plus-page bill, called America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, on July 14, and it includes most of President Barack Obama's key proposals on health reform.

One of Obama's campaign pledges was to improve recruitment of public health care workers. The bill includes several programs designed to do that, with an emphasis on providing additional training and incentives for those in primary care.

The bill also creates an Advisory Committee on Health Workforce Evaluation and Assessment, to assess the "adequacy and appropriateness of the health workforce," and to make recommendations to the secretary of Health and Human Services on federal workforce policy.

We should be clear that there's a long way to go — maybe months — before this bill becomes law. It has to get through the Senate, where many an ambitious House bill has seen its hopes dashed.

Nevertheless, the bill marks significant, measurable progress on Obama's promise, and we rate it In the Works.

Sources:

Thomas, HR 3200 , introduced July 14, 2009

U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, House Democrats Introduce Bill to Provide Quality, Affordable Health Care for All Americans , July 14, 2009