[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 74 (Thursday, May 26, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3433-S3434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself, Ms. Collins, Mr. Kohl, and Mr. 
        Sanders):
  S. 1095. A bill to include geriatrics and gerontology in the 
definition of ``primary health services'' under the

[[Page S3434]]

National Health Service Corps program; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, as we recognize Older Americans Month this 
May it is important that we commit to meeting the needs of older 
Americans to live longer and healthier lives.
  Our aging population is expected to almost double in number, from 37 
million people in 2009 to about 72 million by 2030. We must start now 
if we are going to adequately train the health care workforce to meet 
the needs of an aging America. If we fail to prepare, our Nation will 
face a crisis in providing care to these older Americans.
  Health care providers with the necessary training to give older 
Americans the best care are in critically short supply. In its landmark 
report, Retooling for an Aging America, the Institute of Medicine 
concluded that action must be taken immediately to address the severe 
workforce shortages in the care of older adults.
  According to the Institute of Medicine, in 2009 only about 7,100 U.S. 
physicians were certified geriatricians; 36,000 are needed by 2030. In 
addition, just 4 percent of social workers and only 3 percent of 
advanced practice nurses specialized in geriatrics in 2009. Recruitment 
and retention of direct care workers is also a looming crisis due to 
low wages and few benefits, lack of career advancement, and inadequate 
training.
  Preparing our workforce for the job of caring for older Americans is 
an essential part of ensuring the future health of our nation. Right 
now, there is a critical shortage of health care providers with the 
necessary training and skills to provide our seniors with the best 
possible care. This is a tremendously important issue for American 
families who are concerned about quality of care and quality of life 
for their older relatives and friends.
  It is clear that there is a need for federal action to address these 
issues, and that is why I am joined today by Senators Collins, Kohl and 
Sanders in reintroducing the Caring for an Aging America Act. This 
legislation would help attract and retain trained health care 
professionals and direct care workers dedicated to providing quality 
care to the growing population of older Americans by providing them 
with loan forgiveness and career advancement opportunities through the 
National Health Service Corps.
  Specifically, for health professionals with training in geriatrics or 
gerontology--including physicians, physician assistants, advance 
practice nurses, social workers, and psychologists--the legislation 
would link educational loan repayment to a commitment to serve in areas 
with a shortage of these important health professionals.
  Ensuring we have a well-trained health care workforce with the skills 
to care for our aging population is a critical investment in America's 
future. This legislation offers a modest but important step toward 
creating the future health care workforce that our Nation so urgently 
needs.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we meet 
our obligations to the seniors of our Nation to improve their care.
                                 ______