Earlier this week, the House Appropriations Committee released its bill outlining Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) funding for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies—and we are very happy to share that the bill included nearly a 55% increase to discretionary funding for the National Health Service Corps, taking discretionary funding for the NHSC from $120 million to $185 million. The added funding is directed to support substance use disorder treatment while also giving the Health Resources and Services Administration the authority to prioritize funding as needed until expended. There are still many steps necessary to complete the FY22 appropriations process, but the inclusion of this funding increase in the House bill should be taken as an important signal of Congressional support for, and commitment to expanding, the NHSC.
The historic funding increases to the NHSC over the course of the past year—more than $1 BILLION in increased funding between December of 2020 and March of 2021, and now this most recent funding increase—is a result of the persistent advocacy for the NHSC led by ACU and our incredible advocates. If you haven’t already, please join us as an ACU/NHSC advocate and ask your friends, family, and colleagues to do the same. Help us continue to sound off on the importance of increased funding and expansion of the NHSC. Look for additional updates as the FY22 appropriations process progresses, as well as calls to action to support increased funding for the NHSC.
Further NHSC and Advocacy Resources
Curious to learn more about the National Health Service Corps? View our introductory fact sheets, read our “Road Map for the Future: The NHSC and New Investment for a New Workforce” or policy and advocacy priorities, and join us!
The post NHSC Funding and Advocacy Update: New House Bill Includes 55% Increase in Discretionary Funding for the National Health Service Corps! appeared first on Association of Clinicians for the Underserved.
