S 299 — Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act

Summary

Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and revises several programs relating to geriatric-care training and workforce development, including a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program to support the development of a health care workforce that integrates geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html January 31, 2019

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill reauthorizes and modifies the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program, emphasizing interprofessional collaboration and integrating geriatrics into primary care to improve health outcomes for older adults.

• 42 U.S.C. 294c

  The Secretary shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements under this subsection to entities described in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of section 295p of this title, section 296(2) of this title, or section 298(d) of this title, or other health professions schools or programs approved by the Secretary, for the establishment or operation of Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Programs that meet the requirements of paragraph (2). → The Secretary shall award grants under this subsection to entities described in paragraph (1), (3), or (4) of section 799B, section 801(2), or section 865(d), or other health professions schools or programs approved by the Secretary, for the establishment or operation of Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Programs that meet the requirements of paragraph (2).

  The eligibility for grant recipients is updated by referencing different sections of the Public Health Service Act.

• 42 U.S.C. 294c

  A Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program receiving an award under this section shall support the training of health professionals in geriatrics, including traineeships or fellowships. Such programs shall emphasize, as appropriate, patient and family engagement, integration of geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties, and collaboration with community partners to address gaps in health care for older adults. → A Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program meets the requirements of this paragraph if such program supports the development of a health care workforce that maximizes patient and family engagement and improves health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties. Special emphasis shall be placed on providing the primary care workforce with the knowledge and skills to care for older adults and collaborating with community partners to address gaps in health care for older adults through individual-, system-, community-, and population-level changes.

  The program requirements now focus more on the development of a broader health care workforce and emphasize collaboration in health care delivery.

• 42 U.S.C. 294c

  Activities conducted by a program under this section may include the following: (i) Clinical training on providing integrated geriatrics and primary care delivery services. (ii) Interprofessional training to practitioners from multiple disciplines and specialties, including training on the provision of care to older adults. (iii) Establishing or maintaining training-related community-based programs for older adults and caregivers to improve health outcomes for older adults. (iv) Providing education on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to families and caregivers of older adults, direct care workers, and health professions students, faculty, and providers. → Areas of programmatic focus for a program meeting the requirements of this paragraph may include the following: (i) Transforming clinical training environments into integrated geriatrics and primary care delivery systems to ensure trainees are well prepared to practice in and lead such systems. (ii) Developing providers from multiple disciplines and specialties to work interprofessionally to assess and address the needs and preferences of older adults and their families and caregivers at the individual, community, and population levels. (iii) Creating and delivering community-based programs that will provide older adults and their families and caregivers with education and training to improve health outcomes and the quality of care for such adults. (iv) Providing education on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to families and caregivers of older adults, direct care workers, and health professions students, faculty, and providers.

  The activities supported by the program are updated to include broader programmatic focus, such as community-based education and integrated training environments.

• 42 U.S.C. 294c

  In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this section, the Secretary shall give special consideration to entities that provide services in areas with a shortage of geriatric workforce professionals. → In awarding grants under paragraph (1), particularly with respect to awarding, in fiscal year 2020, any amount appropriated for such fiscal year for purposes of carrying out this subsection that is in excess of the amount appropriated for the most recent previous fiscal year for which appropriations were made such purposes, the Secretary shall give special consideration to entities that operate-- (i) in communities that have a shortage of geriatric workforce professionals; and (ii) in States in which no entity has previously received an award under such paragraph (including under subsection (a)(1) of this section as in effect before the date of enactment of the Geriatrics Workforce Improvement Act).

  Special consideration for grants is defined more specifically, prioritizing entities in communities without prior funding.

• 42 U.S.C. 294c

  The Secretary may provide awardees with additional support for activities in areas of demonstrated need, which may include education and training for home health workers, family caregivers, and direct care workers on care for older adults. → Entities that submit applications under this subsection that describe a plan for providing geriatric education and training for home health workers and family caregivers are eligible to receive $100,000 per year more than entities that do not include a description of such a plan.

  The criteria for additional support are updated to specifically incentivize training for caregivers through increased funding.

Action History

1. January 31, 2019

   Introduced in Senate

2. January 31, 2019

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Sponsors

• Susan M. Collins · Primary

Subjects