Congressman Crow Leads Bipartisan Bill to Address Public Health and Infectious Disease Workforce Shortages
WASHINGTON – Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) has introduced bipartisan legislation to protect public health by addressing critical public health and infectious disease workforce shortages.
Over the last two decades, state and local health departments have lost 15% of their essential staff and nearly 80% of U.S. counties have no infectious disease physician. These workforce shortages leave communities underprepared to respond to public health emergencies and weaken the ability of public health departments to provide screenings and treatment; maternal and child health services; primary health care prevention services; and inspection or licensing to ensure food safety. Additionally, communities without infectious and HIV health care professionals are less equipped to respond to threats like antimicrobial resistance, diseases associated with the opioid epidemic, and efforts to end the HIV epidemic.
Congressman Crow’s bill would reauthorize two federal loan programs that help incentivize Coloradans and Americans to work to protect public health and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Both the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program and the Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program offer student loan repayment opportunities for individuals who choose careers in qualifying communities.
“In Colorado and across the country, many local health departments don’t have enough workers. These workforce shortages mean worse care for Americans and leave communities unprepared to respond to public health emergencies,” said Congressman Crow. “I’m introducing new bipartisan legislation to help attract, recruit, and retain public health and infectious disease professionals nationwide so our families and communities can be safe and healthy.”
Congressman Crow is introducing the legislation along with Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01).
“As a physician and former director of a state public health department, I know firsthand how critical a strong public health workforce is to the health and safety of our communities,” said Congresswoman Miller-Meeks. “From containing infectious disease outbreaks to ensuring families have access to basic preventive care, these professionals are on the front lines. This bipartisan bill provides much-needed incentives to recruit and retain skilled public health workers and infectious disease experts where they’re needed most."
“To stay ahead of the next public health crisis, we need to invest in the workforce that protects us,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Reauthorizing the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program and the BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program will help us fill critical gaps in infectious disease response – from doctors and lab scientists to epidemiologists and emergency personnel. By relieving student debt, these programs make it possible to recruit and retain the talent needed to keep our communities safe and healthy.”
“The Infectious Diseases Society of America is deeply grateful to Reps. Crow, Miller-Meeks, Trahan and Fitzpatrick for their commitment to public health and the infectious diseases workforce. Their bill is crucial to address major workforce shortages and ensure that all communities have access to the ID experts necessary to prevent and respond to outbreaks and infections that complicate cancer treatment, surgeries and other complex medical care,” said Infectious Diseases Society of America president Tina Tan, MD, FIDSA, FPIDS, FAAP.
“The National Association of County & City Health Officials thanks Reps. Crow, Miller-Meeks, Trahan, and Fitzpatrick for their support of the public health workforce. Local public health professionals are on the frontlines of the unique challenges facing their communities and this bill will provide an important tool to attracting qualified professionals to health departments across the nation,” said Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County & City Health Officials.
Congressman Crow led the fight to promote the recruitment of public health officials nationwide. Crow successfully introduced and passed legislation in the 117th Congress to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program. Additionally, he voted to pass the BIO Preparedness Workforce Act. However, both programs expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2025. Congressman Crow also leads an annual letter urging Congress to fully fund both programs.
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