Support Workforce Diversity HRSA Program

Each year, Congress passes appropriations bills that allocate federal spending for each department and agency in the government. This year, AARC is requesting that Congress include at least $8 million for the Allied Health Workforce Diversity program at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) appropriations bill.

The PREVENT Pandemics Act, which passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, expanded the allied health workforce program within HRSA to increase educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged backgrounds or individuals who are underrepresented in the respiratory therapist field and other allied health professions. Providing this appropriation will allow HRSA to provide scholarships and stipends to accredited higher education programs to recruit qualified individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, including persons with disabilities, students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and racial and ethnic minorities.

Supporting this critical workforce program will help strengthen and expand the comprehensive use of evidence-based strategies shown to increase the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and graduation of students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds. These strategies include outreach to the community, creating or expanding mentorship and tutoring programs, and providing scholarships and stipends to students.

We need your help to reach out to your members of Congress in support of including $8 million for HRSA’s allied health workforce program in the FY25 Labor-HHS appropriations bill. Please send this action alert to your members of Congress to ensure that there are increased workforce opportunities for respiratory therapists and other allied health professionals.