Burgess bill aims to bolster public health workforce

U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess (R-TX) on May 18 offered bipartisan legislation to establish the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program, which would award loan repayment agreements to public health professionals in efforts to recruit a qualified workforce and end shortages across local, state, and tribal public health agencies.

“This past year, the nation watched our public health workforce go above and beyond to defeat this coronavirus,” Rep. Burgess said on Tuesday. “It is still critical as we are starting to emerge from this pandemic that it has the support it needs on the front lines.” 

Rep. Burgess signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2021, H.R. 3297, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), which would require that program-eligible individuals be in their final year of pursuing a public health or health professions degree or certificate or have graduated within the past 10 years and go on to work for a local, state, or tribal public health agency, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Burgess’ office. 

If enacted, H.R. 3297 also would stipulate that individuals accepted into the program sign a service commitment agreement for at least three years, the summary says.

“This bill will enable these public health departments to enhance their workforce, thereby improving our nation’s overall preparedness and response capabilities to current and future public health emergencies,” said Rep. Burgess. “I hope all members will join in supporting this legislation.”

Dr. John Douglas, executive director of the Tri-County Health Department, and Lori Tremmel Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, endorsed the bill. 

“A federal Public Health Loan Repayment program is an important investment in strengthening the health department workforce across the country,” Freeman said.