Congressman Mike Kennedy of Utah’s 3rd District and Congresswoman Julie Johnson of Texas’s 32nd District have introduced the Fast Track Health Care Apprenticeships Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the shortage of health care workers in the United States. The legislation seeks to streamline the apprenticeship process for health care roles by updating the National Apprenticeship Act.
The proposed bill would require federal and state labor agencies to decide on health care apprenticeship applications within 45 days. It also mandates that the Department of Labor digitize apprenticeship agreement forms, modernize application procedures, and improve accessibility for applicants.
“Utah’s hospitals, clinics, and families feel the strain of our national health care workforce shortage every day. As a family doctor, I know firsthand that strong patient care depends on having enough trained professionals,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “Streamlining apprenticeship pathways is a practical, commonsense step that will help build our workforce and in communities across the country. I’m proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver real results for the American people.”
Congresswoman Julie Johnson commented on how these shortages affect her state: “Our health care workforce is stretched to its limit, and families in Texas are feeling it in longer wait times, higher costs, and fewer options for care. The Fast Track Health Care Apprenticeships Act strengthens our workforce pipeline by making it easier and faster for aspiring health care professionals to get trained and step into good-paying, stable jobs. By streamlining this process and reducing barriers for employers, we can expand access to care in every community and help bring down costs for patients. This bipartisan, commonsense effort supports workers, supports providers, and ensures that every family can rely on a health care system that’s accessible, affordable, and built to meet their needs.”
According to projections from the American Hospital Association, there could be a shortfall of nearly 100,000 critical health care workers by 2028. Current Department of Labor apprenticeship programs cover professions such as registered nurses, pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, dental assistants, surgical technologists, paramedics, and behavioral health paraprofessionals.
Supporters say that simplifying access to these programs may help employers train more professionals needed in various sectors of health care.
The full text of the bill is available here.
