Washington, DC
Today, Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Congresswoman Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR) introduced legislation that would set aside funds from the Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program to specifically be invested in Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories.
The Territory Health Revitalization Act would also revise current law to make all territories eligible for this portion of money and would guarantee at least two territorial grants.
“With the introduction of this bill, we will ensure that Puerto Rico and other U.S. Territories are able to tap into these important funds as a way to jumpstart their economies,” said Chairman Neal. “HPOG monies offer an all-encompassing approach to problem-solving through the mix of support services, career coaching, and job placement that is offered concurrently as part of the program. This is the kind of investment these territories need.”
“Health Profession Opportunity Grants provide an additional vehicle for families in need to lift themselves out of poverty. Grantees will have access to federal funds to be utilized in training efforts related to health care for TANF-recipients and other low-income constituents. Puerto Rico has unfortunately been experiencing a decline in medical professionals for several years. The 2017 hurricane season exacerbated this decline, leaving my constituents with scarce medical services. I am confident these grants will help mitigate this decline by setting aside 5% for territories and requiring that at least two grantees are located in the territories. I thank Chairman Neal for working with me on this issue and look forward to working with him to get this bill passed”.
The purpose of the HPOG program is to invest in career pathways that help low-income people enter and advance in healthcare professions that pay well and are in need of more workers. The HPOG approach has been demonstrated to increase earnings and employment in health care fields that are experiencing worker shortages.
More information on the HPOG program can be found HERE and full text of the legislation can be found HERE.
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