Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and makes changes to the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program (a program that awards student loan repayment to individuals with qualifying degrees who commit to work full-time for a federal, state, tribal, or local public health agency for a period of obligated service). Changes to the program include increasing the maximum repayment amount; eliminating the option for individuals to complete the service obligation in a federal public health agency; and expanding the scope of qualifying degrees to cover, for example, those in statistics, computer science, and programs related to information technology. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services may take actions to equitably distribute awards across geographic regions, among jurisdictional levels, and between urban and rural areas. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct an evaluation of the public health workforce.
Sponsors: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Target Audience
Population: Public health workers and potential entrants into the public health workforce
Estimated Size: 250000
- The bill affects those working in or planning to work in federal, state, tribal, or local public health agencies.
- The bill specifically targets individuals with qualifications that are eligible for the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.
- The inclusion of degrees related to statistics, computer science, and information technology may expand the target population to include professionals in these fields who work in public health agencies.
- The changes may encourage more individuals to pursue careers in public health due to the financial incentives offered.
- By aiming to distribute awards equitably, the Act potentially impacts public health workers across various geographic locations and communities.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily benefits individuals with student loans in the public health field, especially those who would consider or are in lower-paying geographical regions which may struggle to attract skilled professionals.
- Given the budget constraints, the program will not cover the entire target population immediately, likely leading to competitive selection criteria.
- The impacts might be more pronounced in rural areas where attracting qualified health professionals is more challenging.
- Certain demographics, such as recent graduates in fields like statistics and IT who are looking for loan forgiveness and job stability, might see higher engagement due to the expanded qualification criteria.
- Over time, broadening degrees may increase its appeal and potentially draw talent into public health from other sectors.
Simulated Interviews
Epidemiologist (Austin, Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope it's beneficial for people like me who need financial relief to continue working in public health.
- It's a step in the right direction for expanding scope, but I wish we could serve in federal agencies too as part of the obligation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Statistical Analyst (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an excellent opportunity for someone in my field to clear student loans.
- It's a pity there's a budget constraint, so not everyone will benefit immediately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Public Health Nurse (Rural, Kentucky)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy means a lot to us in rural areas who have fewer resources.
- If I can have my student loans repaid, it would relieve a lot of stress.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Public Health IT Specialist (New York City, New York)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might encourage more IT professionals like me to consider public health roles.
- I'm curious to see how the policy will be distributed in urban areas.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Public Health Director (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important to see steps being taken to resolve workforce shortages.
- I hope the policy will result in increased retention of qualified professionals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Data Scientist for Public Health (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a big deal for those of us crossing over from tech to public health.
- I'm optimistic that my loans will be addressed, allowing me to focus on the work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Public Health Educator (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it won't directly benefit me now, it's a great initiative for the younger workforce.
- Equitable distribution is key to addressing disparities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Public Health Policy Analyst (Houston, Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It will be interesting to see the evaluations from the Government Accountability Office.
- These policy changes might set new precedents for other sectors.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Biostatistician (San Francisco, California)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If the policy includes PhD candidates or degree holders, it will be life-changing.
- People in data roles are crucial and should be supported.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Health Informatics Specialist (Miami, Florida)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There needs to be ongoing support for IT professionals moving into public health.
- This policy could provide much-needed financial alleviation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 3: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 5: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 10: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- The program's effectiveness will depend on adequate funding appropriation beyond the initial years specified.
- Equitable distribution could face challenges but might yield significant public health benefits in underserved areas.
- The impact on federal agency workforce could shift resources but is unlikely to displace significant numbers of positions.