Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024

10/16/2024, 4:53 AM

Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024

This bill adds medical laboratory professionals to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and establishes a grant program to fund education programs for medical laboratory professionals. Specifically, it makes medical laboratory professionals eligible to participate in the NHSC, which provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to health care providers who agree to work in areas with health care provider shortages. The bill also authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to, or enter into contracts with, certain hospitals, schools, and nonprofits to develop and operate accredited education programs that award degrees or certificates to medical laboratory professionals.  

Bill 118 HR 9849, also known as the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024, aims to address the shortage of medical laboratory personnel in the United States. The bill recognizes the critical role that medical laboratory professionals play in the healthcare system and seeks to increase the number of trained individuals entering the field.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to support educational programs for medical laboratory personnel. These grants will be awarded to institutions that offer training programs for medical laboratory technicians and technologists, with a focus on increasing diversity in the field.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to streamline the certification process for medical laboratory personnel, making it easier for individuals to enter the field and begin practicing. This includes provisions for reciprocity agreements between states to ensure that certifications are recognized across state lines. The bill also addresses the need for ongoing professional development for medical laboratory personnel, with provisions for continuing education programs and opportunities for career advancement. Overall, the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024 aims to strengthen the medical laboratory workforce in the United States and ensure that healthcare facilities have the personnel they need to provide quality care to patients.
Congress
118
Number
HR - 9849
Introduced on
2024-09-25
# Amendments
0
Sponsors
+5
Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

9/25/2024
Text
PDF
XML

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024

This bill adds medical laboratory professionals to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and establishes a grant program to fund education programs for medical laboratory professionals. Specifically, it makes medical laboratory professionals eligible to participate in the NHSC, which provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to health care providers who agree to work in areas with health care provider shortages. The bill also authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to, or enter into contracts with, certain hospitals, schools, and nonprofits to develop and operate accredited education programs that award degrees or certificates to medical laboratory professionals.  

Bill 118 HR 9849, also known as the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024, aims to address the shortage of medical laboratory personnel in the United States. The bill recognizes the critical role that medical laboratory professionals play in the healthcare system and seeks to increase the number of trained individuals entering the field.

One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a grant program to support educational programs for medical laboratory personnel. These grants will be awarded to institutions that offer training programs for medical laboratory technicians and technologists, with a focus on increasing diversity in the field.

Additionally, the bill includes measures to streamline the certification process for medical laboratory personnel, making it easier for individuals to enter the field and begin practicing. This includes provisions for reciprocity agreements between states to ensure that certifications are recognized across state lines. The bill also addresses the need for ongoing professional development for medical laboratory personnel, with provisions for continuing education programs and opportunities for career advancement. Overall, the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024 aims to strengthen the medical laboratory workforce in the United States and ensure that healthcare facilities have the personnel they need to provide quality care to patients.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Public Health Service Act to address the shortage of medical laboratory personnel, and for other purposes.

Comments

Related

Committee:  
Energy and Commerce
Member:  
Jill N. Tokuda
Member:  
Robert Garcia
Member:  
Valerie P. Foushee

Recent Activity

Latest Summary2/6/2025

Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2024

This bill adds medical laboratory professionals to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and establishes a grant program to fund education programs for medical labo...

Latest Action9/25/2024
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.