Schakowsky, Rush University Medical Center celebrate House passage of geriatrics workforce legislation
Today, the House of Representatives passed Representative Schakowsky’s H.R. 3728, the EMPOWER Act (Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness Act). This bill reauthorizes health professional workforce programs and optimizes workforce training programs for geriatric care. It reauthorizes the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs and reestablishes the Geriatric Academic Career Awards which are critical to building a robust geriatric care workforce. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky released the following statement after its passage:
“Our nation is facing a severe and mounting shortage of health care professionals to meet the needs of older Americans. It is estimated that by 2030, 3.5 million health care workers will be needed just to maintain the current access level for older Americans. This means that unless we act now, seniors, especially those with multiple chronic conditions and cognitive impairments, may not receive the quality of care they need. That’s why I’m so proud that today the House passed my bill, the bipartisan EMPOWER Act, a bill that will take an important step towards fully supporting tomorrow’s health providers and the older Americans they serve. Expanding our geriatric workforce is essential to guaranteeing that everyone has access to high-quality health care as we age.”
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago is one of the outstanding health and education institutions to receive a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to administer a Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program. Rush and all Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Programs support developing a better health care workforce for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care, maximizing older adult and family engagement in health and care, and transforming the healthcare system. Robyn L. Golden, Associate Vice President of Population Health and Aging at Rush released the following statement praising the passage of the EMPOWER act:
“We applaud Congresswoman Schakowsky for being a fierce advocate for improved health care for older adults and their families. This bill will better prepare the workforce for the demands that will be encountered by the aging of Americans.”