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119-s-4254119th CongressWALLET

Health Workforce Innovation Act

Sponsored By: Senator Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

Community-driven training for allied health workers is the core goal. This bill would create a Health Care Workforce Innovation Program to fund local education and training models that grow allied health professions in rural and underserved communities.

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  • Families and communities: Would increase local access to medical, behavioral, and oral health by growing the supply of allied health staff in shortage areas.
  • Trainees and workers: Would support apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, internships, career ladders, team-based and culturally competent training, and investments in training equipment and limited renovations to prepare allied health workers for underserved settings.
  • Providers and funding: Grants or contracts would go to Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), state FQHC consortia, certified rural health clinics, and accredited nonprofit vocational programs. Each award may not exceed $2.5 million and funded models must run at least three years. The program is authorized at "such sums as may be necessary" for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More allied health training in rural areas

This bill would create the Health Care Workforce Innovation Program to fund community-driven training for allied health professions. Eligible applicants would include Federally Qualified Health Centers, state FQHC associations, certified rural health clinics, and nonprofit vocational programs. Grants or contracts would be capped at $2,500,000 per award and must fund programs lasting at least three years. Funds would cover training partnerships, apprenticeships, internships, equipment, supplies, and limited retrofitting of training space. Funds could not be used for construction or to supplant existing workforce funding, and recipients would report outcomes to the Secretary. The program would be authorized for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 with "such sums as may be necessary," and funds would remain available until expended.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 3/26/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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