[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 6, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E253]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  VETERANS-SPECIFIC EDUCATION FOR TOMORROW'S HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                      HON. STEVEN C. WATKINS, JR.

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2019

  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1271, the Vet HP 
Act.
  The Vet HP Act would be a significant advancement for two critical 
issues burdening Eastern Kansans.
  My district, being both rural and home to tens of thousands of 
veterans, is a medically underserved district. With both VA and rural 
hospitals lacking a steady pipeline of health professionals, access to 
quality health care is not guaranteed for many of these folks back 
home.
  Secondly, aspiring health professionals from underserved areas are 
not afforded the same opportunities for clinical observation hours as 
medical school applicants in major cities, putting them at a 
disadvantage during the admissions process.
  The Vet HP Act would provide an opportunity for health students to 
gain clinical observation hours at VA hospitals, prioritizing students 
in health professional shortage areas, first-generation college 
students, students referred by minority-serving institutions and 
veterans, and, importantly, students who wish to train and stay in 
health professions experiencing staff shortages.
  This is a true two-birds-one-stone approach. Across the country we 
have aspiring health professionals who lack opportunity, and we have VA 
and rural hospitals desperately in need of a health professional 
pipeline. The Vet HP Act is a massive step forward for both issues.
  I urge passage of this common-sense, bipartisan bill.

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