(Washington, D.C.) –
Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) announced major investments in primary
care physician and other health care professional training programs based in
King County. Murray has been a leader in the Senate in working to make the
necessary investments to help Washington state communities train workers and
create jobs in the health care sector.
“Despite the recession,
our region’s innovative health care industry continues to grow,” said Senator Murray. “That means one
of the smartest job creation investments we can make is in expanding our health
care workforce. This funding is going to train the doctors and health care
professionals we need to care for our seniors and families, and to make sure
that everyone has access to quality care.”
As a senior member of the
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Murray played a
critical role in ensuring the Health Care Reform bill made investments in
creating jobs to fill our shortfall in doctors, nurses, and health care
workers.
“We appreciate
Senator Murray’s leadership in working to improve access to primary care and ensure
that Americans can get the care they need, when they need it, right in their
community,” said Secretary of
Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius today. “The
investments we’re making today in increasing our primary care workforce will
bring us closer to the day when every American has access to high-quality,
coordinated care from a doctor, nurse, and health care team near their home,
deeply invested in their health.”
The University of
Washington
The investment announced
today includes over $1.98 million that will allow the University of Washington
to expand its physician assistant workforce program. The funding has been
projected by the University of Washington to fund 50 student stipends of
$22,000 per student per year, for 2 years.
“The MEDEX Northwest PA
Program values the hard work of Senator Patty Murray in advocating for the
health workforce needs of the nation—and of Washington State,” said Ruth
Ballweg, MEDEX Program Director.“The MEDEX Program has a 40 year
track record of training 2nd career health professionals—including returning
military corpspersons—to deliver high quality and accessible care
throughout the Pacific Northwest. Senator Murray’s
support—particularly on issues of primary care, rural health access, and health
workforce—is critical to our success!”
Workforce
Development Council of Seattle-King County
The
investment announced today includes $2,263,435 to help provide low-income
individuals in King County with successful training programs for a variety of healthcare
professions, including: home care aides, certified nursing assistants, medical
assistants, pharmacy technicians, emergency medical technicians, licensed
vocational nurses, registered nurses, dental assistants, and health information
technicians. Grantees will also provide additional supportive services such as
transportation, dependent care, and temporary housing.
“This
is a significant investment in our community that will result in real jobs in
our economy for the next five years,” said Marléna Sessions, CEO of the
Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. “By taking the
best and most innovative strategies of our different systems, tying them
together and expanding them, we will be helping close to a thousand people
improve their lives.”
Group Health
The investment announced
today includes $960,000 that will allow the Group Health to bolster its primary
care residency training program to increase the number of doctors trained in
general pediatrics, general internal medicine, and family medicine. Group
Health will use the 5-year grant to provide stipend support for new enrollees
in 3-year primary care residency training programs.
“Senator
Pattty Murray has been a consistent advocate for workforce development in health
care, and understands the critical role of family medicine as we expand quality
care. Our residency program prepares graduates for high performing primary care
medical centers. We are proud to be selected for funding to expand this
excellent program.” said Michael Soman, President
of Group Health Physicians.
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