Call for Proposals: 2024 ASAHP Interprofessional Collaboration Grant

The Interprofessional Collaboration Grant, created by ASAHP’s Research, Discovery, and Innovation Committee, supports innovative research projects with the highest potential to produce new knowledge and paradigms towards success in interprofessional collaboration. Projects should involve at least two and preferably more health professions. The most competitive applications will be designed as scalable projects with potential outcomes which can be broadly applied and implemented by ASAHP member institutions.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE: The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a full-time faculty in an ASAHP member institution. Applicants may serve as PI on only one grant application. Only one application may be submitted per ASAHP Member Institution.

AWARD AMOUNT: We expect to fund 2-3 awards up to $30,000 per award

GRANT PERIOD: September 1, 2024 - August 31, 2025

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 3, 2024

Learn more and apply here.

House Education Committee Democrats Announce their HEA Reauthorization Roadmap

Today, House Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) announced Committee Democrat’s Roadmap to College Student Success, their legislative blueprint for Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization. Currently, the roadmap consists of six previously introduced bills addressing college affordability, access, and student support. Committee Democrats plan to introduce additional related legislation in the coming months. Tomorrow, the Committee, under Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC), will markup the College Cost Reduction Act, an HEA reauthorization bill from Committee Republicans.

The announcement may be accessed here. 

ASAHP Joins HPNEC Joint Letter to Congressional Appropriators on FY 24 Funding

ASAHP joined the HPNEC coalition in a letter sent today to congressional appropriators, urging them to work in a bipartisan manner to provide the highest possible funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Title VII health professions and Title VIII nursing workforce development programs for fiscal year (FY) 2024. At a minimum, HPNEC members recommended that appropriators start with the $877.8 million funding level proposed in the Senate's FY 24 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bill.

The letter may be accessed here.

Department of Education Request for Information Regarding Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Needs in Higher Education

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Education released a request for information in the form of written comments that may include information, research, and suggestions regarding supporting student mental health and/or substance use disorder (behavioral health) needs in higher education. Comments must be received no later than February 25.

The request may be accessed here.

College Cost Reduction Act House Committee Markup Scheduled for Wednesday

The House Education and the Workforce Committee has scheduled a markup of the College Cost Reduction Act for Wednesday, January 31 at 10:15am Eastern. The bill addresses accreditation, Pell grants, student loans, regulatory relief, and more. The bill is one of several expected in the Committee to address Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization. It was introduced by House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) earlier this month.

The markup may be viewed live here.

Applications Now Open for ASAHP's Annual Interprofessional Award

Through the Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care, ASAHP looks to recognize a member institution and/or industry member for outstanding achievement in IPE and IPCP. In addition to the award, several institutions will also be recognized as “Programs of Merit” by ASAHP.

Candidates for this award must be ASAHP members and should demonstrate outstanding achievement in the following areas:

1. Initiatives are inclusive and comprehensive in scope in the preparation of collaboration-ready health professionals.

2. Initiatives are strongly committed to assessment of outcomes and dissemination of scholarship.

3. Initiatives are strongly connected to their Institution’s mission and culture.

4. Initiatives are connected to external stakeholders in the community.

5. Initiatives promote personal, community and population health.

6. Initiatives advocate for social justice and address social determinants of health.

Learn more about the award and view the application here.

College Cost Reduction Act Introduced in the House

On Thursday, House Education and the Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) introduced The College Cost Reduction Act, a bill that addresses accreditation, Pell grants, student loans, regulatory relief, and more. The bill is one of several expected in the Committee to address Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization.

The Committee press release, and links to the bill text, fact sheet, and summary may be accessed here. A summary from ACE may be accessed here and a summary from NAICU may be accessed here.

ASAHP Urges Congressional Leaders to Adopt Senate Funding Framework

ASAHP was one of 850 organizations to urge Congressional leadership finish the FY24 appropriations process and adopt the bipartisan Senate funding framework as a starting point for final negotiations.

The letter may be accessed here.

Department of Education Takes Next Steps on Negotiated Rulemaking for State Authorization, Distance Education, and Accreditation

On Tuesday, the Department of Education released six issue papers on topics for negotiated rulemaking. The topics include the following issue areas: Cash management, Return of Title IV Funds, Accreditation, State Authorization, Distance Education, and TRIO. Negotiators will meet virtually on January 8-11, February 5-8, and March 4-7. Sessions will be open to the public and include opportunities for public comment. ED also announced the list of the individuals who will serve on the negotiating committee and subcommittee.

The Department of Education’s press release may be accessed here. More details may be accessed here. An article from Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here.

ASAHP and CDC Coalition Urge Robust CDC Funding for FY 24

ASAHP was one of 139 organizations that are members of the CDC Coalition and joined in sending a letter to congressional appropriators urging at least $11.581 billion in funding for the CDC’s programs in FY 2024.

The letter may be accessed here.

ASAHP and Friends of HRSA Urge Robust HRSA Funding for FY 24

ASAHP was one of 86 members of the Friends of HRSA coalition and other supporting organizations that urged congressional appropriators to prioritize HRSA funding and to oppose the inclusion of any cuts or partisan policy riders related to any of the agency’s programs. Earlier this year, the Friends of HRSA coalition wrote to the leaders of the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations subcommittees urging them to provide at least $10.5 billion for HRSA in FY 2024. Strong funding for HRSA is critical to supporting all of HRSA’s activities and programs, which are essential to protect the health of our communities.

The letter to Congressional appropriators may be accessed here.

House Committee Advances Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act

On Tuesday, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce advanced, in a 37-8 vote, the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act. The bill would expand the use of Pell funding for short term, high quality credentials. Currently, Pell grants can only be used for programs with a 15-week minimum, but the bill would allow its use for programs offered during a minimum of eight weeks, but less than 15 weeks. To pay for the expansion, the bill would end federal student loans, starting next July, at the 50-60 institutions that are subject to the federal endowment tax, a controversial proposal not included in the Senate’s workforce Pell bill, the JOBS Act, which does not yet have a Committee markup date scheduled.

On Tuesday, the Committee also advanced, in a 44-1 vote, A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which would reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill would codify the Strengthening Community Colleges Workforce Development Grant Program to improve and expand high-quality workforce development programs at community colleges, and would authorize the program for each of the Fiscal Years 2025 through 2030 at $65 million.

The bills and and a recording of the markup may be accessed here. Coverage from Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here and here.

Senate Committee Markup to Reauthorize Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Program

On Tuesday, the Senate HELP Committee will hold a mark up of four bills, including S. 3393, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act. The bill would reauthorize the Mental and Behavioral Health Education and Training Program at $50 million for FY 24, $55 million for FY 25, $60 million for FY 26, $65 million for FY 27, and $75 million for FY 28.

The bill text and summary, as well as the markup, may be accessed here.

Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program Funding Opportunity

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced the opportunity to apply for funding under the Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP). The purpose of the GWEP is to educate and train the health care and supportive care workforces to care for older adults by collaborating with community partners. Applicants must maximize patient and family engagement to address care gaps and improve health outcomes for older adults by integrating geriatrics with primary care and other appropriate specialties using the Age-Friendly Health Systems Framework. Estimated total funding is $43 million, and 43 grant awards are expected. Applications are due February 26.

The funding opportunity announcement may be accessed here.

Department of Education Seeking Nominations for Negotiated Rulemaking Panel on State Authorization, Accreditation, and other Higher Education Issues

The Department of Education is seeking nominations to represent various constituent groups on a negotiated rulemaking committee to consider the following issues:

• The Secretary’s recognition of accrediting agencies and related issues;

• Institutional eligibility, including state authorization;

• The definition of distance education as it pertains to clock hour programs and reporting for students who enroll primarily online; 

• Return of Title IV of Higher Education Act of 1965 funds; and

• Cash management to address disbursement of student funds.

Nominations must be received by December 13, 2023. Negotiators selected by ED will meet virtually on January 8-11, February 5-8, and March 4-7 to discuss ideas for regulatory reform. A subcommittee will meet virtually on January 12 and February 9. Sessions will be open to the public and include opportunities for public comment.

The Department of Education’s press release may be accessed here. An article from Inside Higher Ed may be accessed here.

Administration Releases U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health

The Biden Administration released its “U.S. Playbook to Address Social Determinants of Health”. The 53-page document aims to impart a strategic approach to addressing health related social needs, highlighting an initial set of actions by federal agencies, and setting the stage for agencies and organizations to re-imagine new policies and actions around SDOH, both inside and outside of government. The playbook outlines individual and community-centered interventions, with actions grouped into the following three pillars: 1. Expand Data Gathering and Sharing, 2. Support Flexible Funding to address Social Needs, and 3. Support Backbone Organizations.

The playbook may be accessed here.

The Challenge Of Paying For Health Care

U.S. adults with low or average incomes are more likely than their counterparts in eight other high-income nations to struggle to afford their health care, according to a new Commonwealth Fund issue brief that explored how financial barriers affect health care decisions by individuals.

The brief can be obtained at Cost of Not Getting Care Income Disparities High-Income Countries | Commonwealth Fund.

Expanding Medicare Access To Behavioral Health Care

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it is expanding access to behavioral health services for beneficiaries with Medicare through coverage of intensive outpatient services. It also is making it easier for the public to learn what a hospital charges for items and services through improved hospital price transparency requirements. 

More information can be obtained at CY 2024 Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment System Final Rule (CMS 1786-FC) | CMS.