Senator Herbert Kohl

The Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act, originally introduced by Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, has picked up two new sponsors in the Senate — Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Bob Casey (D-PA), and a lead sponsor in the House of Representatives — Jan Schakowsky (D-IL).

The bill aims to address the impending shortage of health care workers who are adequately trained and prepared to care for older Americans and incorporates major recommendations put forth in an Institute of Medicine report released in April 2008.

“Our nation’s seniors face a dual health care crisis—out-of-pocket expenses continue to rise and the number of health care professionals dwindles,” said Congresswoman Schakowsky. “Our legislation would reverse the shortage of licensed health care professionals and give our parents and grandparents the care they need and deserve.”

A variety of stakeholder organizations including PHI have filed letters in support of the bill. PHI’s letter emphasizes concerns such as current federal training requirements that do not reflect the needs of today’s older and frailer consumers, outdated curricula that does not prepare workers for person-centered care, and a lack of on-the-job support for new workers.

For more information, review PHI National Policy Agenda: Training and Support (pdf).