TITLE V--HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE
Subtitle A--Purpose and Definitions
SEC. 5001. PURPOSE. The purpose of this title is to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals, particularly low income, underserved, uninsured, minority, health disparity, and rural populations by-- (1) gathering and assessing comprehensive data in order for the health care workforce to meet the health care needs of individuals, including research on the supply, demand, distribution, diversity, and skills needs of the health care workforce; (2) increasing the supply of a qualified health care workforce to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals; (3) enhancing health care workforce education and training to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals; and (4) providing support to the existing health care workforce to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals.
SEC. 5002. DEFINITIONS. (a) This Title- In this title: (1) ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL- The term `allied health professional' means an allied health professional as defined in section 799B(5) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p(5)) who-- (A) has graduated and received an allied health professions degree or certificate from an institution of higher education; and (B) is employed with a Federal, State, local or tribal public health agency, or in a setting where patients might require health care services, including acute care facilities, ambulatory care facilities, personal residences, and other settings located in health professional shortage areas, medically underserved areas, or medically underserved populations, as recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (2) HEALTH CARE CAREER PATHWAY- The term `healthcare career pathway' means a rigorous, engaging, and high quality set of courses and services that-- (A) includes an articulated sequence of academic and career courses, including 21st century skills; (B) is aligned with the needs of healthcare industries in a region or State; (C) prepares students for entry into the full range of postsecondary education options, including registered apprenticeships, and careers; (D) provides academic and career counseling in student-to-counselor ratios that allow students to make informed decisions about academic and career options; (E) meets State academic standards, State requirements for secondary school graduation and is aligned with requirements for entry into postsecondary education, and applicable industry standards; and (F) leads to 2 or more credentials, including-- (i) a secondary school diploma; and (ii) a postsecondary degree, an apprenticeship or other occupational certification, a certificate, or a license. (3) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION- The term `institution of higher education' has the meaning given the term in sections 101 and 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002). (4) LOW INCOME INDIVIDUAL, STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD, AND LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD- (A) LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUAL- The term `low-income individual' has the meaning given that term in section 101 of the Workforce investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2801). (B) STATE WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD; LOCAL WORKFORCE INVESTMENT BOARD- The terms `State workforce investment board' and `local workforce investment board', refer to a State workforce investment board established under section 111 of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. 2821) and a local workforce investment board established under section 117 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 2832), respectively. (5) POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION- The term `postsecondary education' means-- (A) a 4-year program of instruction, or not less than a 1-year program of instruction that is acceptable for credit toward an associate or a baccalaureate degree, offered by an institution of higher education; or (B) a certificate or registered apprenticeship program at the postsecondary level offered by an institution of higher education or a non-profit educational institution.