[House Report 117-214]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress }                                          { Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session   }                                          { 117-214

======================================================================
 
            ALLIED HEALTH WORKFORCE DIVERSITY ACT OF 2021

                                _______
                                

December 8, 2021.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Pallone, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 3320]

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 3320) to amend title VII of the Public Health 
Service Act to authorize assistance for increasing workforce 
diversity in the professions of physical therapy, occupational 
therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language 
pathology, and for other purposes, having considered the same, 
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that 
the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
  I. Purpose and Summary..............................................3
 II. Background and Need for the Legislation..........................3
III. Committee Hearings...............................................4
 IV. Committee Consideration..........................................5
  V. Committee Votes..................................................5
 VI. Oversight Findings...............................................5
VII. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures5
VIII.Federal Mandates Statement.......................................6

 IX. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............6
  X. Duplication of Federal Programs..................................6
 XI. Committee Cost Estimate..........................................6
XII. Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits......6
XIII.Advisory Committee Statement.....................................6

XIV. Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................6
 XV. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................6
XVI. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............7

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act 
of 2021''.

SEC. 2. INCREASING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS OF PHYSICAL 
                    THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, RESPIRATORY THERAPY, 
                    AUDIOLOGY, AND SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY.

  Title VII of the Public Health Service Act is amended--
          (1) by redesignating part G (42 U.S.C. 295j et seq.) as part 
        H; and
          (2) by inserting after part F (42 U.S.C. 295h) the following 
        new part:

``PART G--INCREASING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS OF PHYSICAL 
  THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, RESPIRATORY THERAPY, AUDIOLOGY, AND 
                       SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

``SEC. 783. SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS.

  ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants and contracts to 
eligible entities to increase educational opportunities in the 
professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory 
therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology for eligible 
individuals by--
          ``(1) providing student scholarships or stipends, including 
        for--
                  ``(A) completion of an accelerated degree program;
                  ``(B) completion of an associate's, bachelor's, 
                master's, or doctoral degree program; and
                  ``(C) entry by a diploma or associate's degree 
                practitioner into a bridge or degree completion 
                program;
          ``(2) providing assistance for completion of prerequisite 
        courses or other preparation necessary for acceptance for 
        enrollment in the eligible entity; and
          ``(3) carrying out activities to increase the retention of 
        students in one or more programs in the professions of physical 
        therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, 
        and speech-language pathology.
  ``(b) Consideration of Recommendations.--In carrying out subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the recommendations of 
national organizations representing the professions of physical 
therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and 
speech-language pathology, including the American Physical Therapy 
Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, the 
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the American Association 
for Respiratory Care, the American Academy of Audiology, and the 
Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
  ``(c) Required Information and Conditions for Award Recipients.--
          ``(1) In general.--The Secretary may require recipients of 
        awards under this section to report to the Secretary concerning 
        the annual admission, retention, and graduation rates for 
        eligible individuals in programs of the recipient leading to a 
        degree in any of the professions of physical therapy, 
        occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and 
        speech-language pathology.
          ``(2) Falling rates.--If any of the rates reported by a 
        recipient under paragraph (1) fall below the average for such 
        recipient over the two years preceding the year covered by the 
        report, the recipient shall provide the Secretary with plans 
        for immediately improving such rates.
          ``(3) Ineligibility.--A recipient described in paragraph (2) 
        shall be ineligible for continued funding under this section if 
        the plan of the recipient fails to improve the rates within the 
        1-year period beginning on the date such plan is implemented.
  ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
          ``(1) Eligible entities.--The term `eligible entity' means an 
        accredited education program that is carrying out a program for 
        recruiting and retaining students underrepresented in the 
        professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, 
        respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology 
        (including racial or ethnic minorities, or students from 
        disadvantaged backgrounds).
          ``(2) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual' 
        means an individual who--
                  ``(A) is a member of a class of persons who are 
                underrepresented in the professions of physical 
                therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, 
                audiology, and speech-language pathology, including 
                individuals who are--
                          ``(i) racial or ethnic minorities;
                          ``(ii) from disadvantaged backgrounds; or
                          ``(iii) individuals with a disability (as 
                        defined in section 3(1) of the Americans with 
                        Disabilities Act of 1990), or who have an 
                        individualized education program (as defined in 
                        section 602 of the Individuals with 
                        Disabilities Education Act), are covered under 
                        section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 
                        or have other documentation establishing the 
                        student's disability (as such term is defined 
                        in section 3(1) of the Americans with 
                        Disabilities Act of 1990);
                  ``(B) has a financial need for a scholarship or 
                stipend; and
                  ``(C) is enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an 
                audiology, speech-language pathology, respiratory 
                therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy 
                program as a full-time student at an eligible entity.
  ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $8,000,000 for the first fiscal 
year commencing after the date of enactment of the Allied Health 
Workforce Diversity Act of 2021 and each of the 4 succeeding fiscal 
years.''.

SEC. 3. ELIGIBILITY CLARIFICATION REGARDING STUDENTS SUPPORTED THROUGH 
                    MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
                    GRANTS.

  Section 756(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294e-
1(a)(1)) is amended by inserting after ``occupational therapy'' the 
following: ``(which may include master's and doctoral level 
programs)''.

                         I. Purpose and Summary

    H.R. 3320, the ``Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 
2021,'' would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) to award grants and contracts to accredited education 
programs to increase diversity in the physical therapy, 
occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and 
speech-language pathology professions. The bill authorizes $8 
million for each fiscal year for five years following 
enactment, and such funding may be used to provide scholarships 
or stipends and to carry out activities to support recruitment 
and retention of students from underrepresented groups.

                II. Background and Need for Legislation

    According to data collected by the Association of American 
Medical Colleges, 5.8 percent of active physicians identified 
as Hispanic and five percent identified as Black or African 
American.\1\ When considering a wider pool of healthcare 
professions such as advanced practice registered nurses, 
dentists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical 
therapists, physician assistants, respiratory therapists, and 
speech-language pathologists, Black, Hispanic, and Native 
American people remain significantly underrepresented relative 
to their representation in the current workforce.\2\ This trend 
has only marginally improved over the last two decades.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\Association of American Medical Colleges, Diversity in Medicine: 
Facts and Figures 2019 (www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/
interactive-data/figure-18-percentage-all-active-physicians-race/
ethnicity-2018) (accessed Nov. 30, 2021).
    \2\See note 1.
    \3\Dan P. Ly and Anupam B. Jena, Trends in Diversity and 
Representativeness of Health Care Workers in the United States, 2000 to 
2019, JAMA Network (July 15, 2021) (doi.org/10.1001/
jamanetworkopen.2021.17086).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    This lack of diversity is also observed within the allied 
health workforce. Allied health professions are those that are 
distinct from medicine and nursing and ``use scientific 
principles and evidence-based practice for the diagnosis, 
evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic diseases; promote 
disease prevention and wellness for optimum health; and apply 
administration and management skills to support health care 
systems in a variety of settings.''\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \4\Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions, What Is 
Allied Health? (accessed Nov. 30, 2021) (www.asahp.org/what-is).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Some examples of allied health professionals include but 
are not limited to dental hygienists, diagnostic medical 
sonographers, dietitians, medical technologists, occupational 
therapists, physical therapists, radiographers, respiratory 
therapists, and speech language pathologists.\5\ Data from the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate that the allied health 
professions in particular are severely lacking in racial and 
ethnic diversity; less than five percent of these professionals 
are Black and less than seven percent are Hispanic.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \5\Id.
    \6\U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources 
and Services Administration, National Center for Health Workforce 
Analysis, Sex, Race, and Ethnic Diversity of U.S. Health Occupations 
(2011-2015) (Aug. 2017) (bhw.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bureau-
health-workforce/data-research/diversity-us-health-occupations.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Increasing diversity in the health workforce has been found 
to be positively associated with better care.\7\ Studies have 
found that concordance between the race of healthcare providers 
and patients is correlated with improved patient health 
outcomes, patient satisfaction, and communication.\8\ 
Additionally, a more diverse health workforce is critical to 
addressing the needs of patients in medically underserved 
areas.\9\\10\ In a time when minority populations continue to 
experience a disproportionate burden of preventable disease, 
death, and disability, a more diverse healthcare workforce may 
be helpful in addressing these disparities.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \7\L. E. Gomez and Patrick Bernet, Diversity Improves Performance 
and Outcomes, Journal of the National Medical Association (Aug. 2019) 
(doi.org/10.1016/j.jnma.2019.01.006).
    \8\Kirsten Wilbur et al., Developing Workforce Diversity in the 
Health Professions: A Social Justice Perspective, Health Professions 
Education (June 1, 2020) (doi.org/10.1016/j.hpe.2020.01.002).
    \9\Id.
    \10\Lyndonna M. Marrast et al., Minority Physicians' Role in the 
Care of Underserved Patients: Diversifying the Physician Workforce May 
Be Key in Addressing Health Disparities, JAMA Internal Medicine (Feb.1, 
2014) (doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2013.12756).
    \11\U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HHS Action Plan 
to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities (minorityhealth.hhs.gov/
assets/pdf/hhs/HHS_Plan_complete.pdf).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    For these reasons, H.R. 3320 aims to improve diversity in 
the physical therapy, occupation therapy, respiratory therapy, 
audiology, and speech-language pathology professions, by 
allowing the HHS Secretary to award grants and contracts to 
support scholarships and stipends, preparatory resources, and 
retention activities for individuals underrepresented in these 
fields. This program is modeled after the Title VIII Nursing 
Workforce Diversity program, which has successfully increased 
the percentage of racial and ethnic minorities pursuing careers 
in nursing.

                        III. Committee Hearings

    For the purposes of section 3(c) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the following hearing was used 
to develop or consider H.R. 3320:
    The Subcommittee on Health held a legislative hearing on 
October 26, 2021, entitled ``Caring for America: Legislation to 
Support Patients, Caregivers, and Providers.'' The Subcommittee 
received testimony from the following witnesses:
           Corey Feist, Founder, Dr. Lorna Breen 
        Foundation;
           Lisa Macon Harrison, M.P.H., President, 
        National Association of County and City Health 
        Officials (NACCHO);
           Brooks A. Keel, Ph.D., President, Augusta 
        University;
           Alan Levine, Executive Chairman, President, 
        and CEO, Ballad Health;
           Jeanne Marrazzo, M.D., Board Member, 
        Infectious Disease Society of America, Infectious 
        Disease Division Chief, University of Alabama at 
        Birmingham;
           Stephanie Monroe, J.D., Director of Equity 
        and Access, UsAgainstAlzheimer's, Executive Director, 
        AfricanAmericansAgainstAlzheimer's; and
           Victoria Garcia Wilburn, D.H.Sc., O.T.R., 
        F.A.O.T.A., Assistant Professor in Occupational 
        Therapy, IUPUI School of Health & Human Sciences.

                      IV. Committee Consideration

    H.R. 3320, the ``Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 
2021,'' was introduced on May 18, 2021, by Representatives Rush 
(D-IL) and Mullin (R-OK) and referred to Committee on Energy 
and Commerce. Subsequently, on May 19, 2021, the bill was 
referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
    On November 4, 2021, the Subcommittee on Health met in open 
markup session, pursuant to notice, to consider H.R. 3320 and 
eight other bills. During consideration of the bill, an 
amendment in the nature of a substitute (AINS) offered by 
Representative Matsui (D-CA) was agreed to by a voice vote. 
Upon conclusion of consideration of the bill, the Subcommittee 
on Health agreed to report the bill favorably to the full 
Committee, amended, by a voice vote.
    On November 17, 2021, the full Committee met in open markup 
session, pursuant to notice, to consider H.R. 3320 and 11 other 
bills. No amendments were offered during consideration of the 
bill. Upon conclusion of consideration of the bill, the full 
Committee agreed to a motion on final passage offered by 
Representative Pallone (D-NJ), Chairman of the Committee, to 
order H.R. 3320 reported favorably to the House, as amended, by 
a voice vote.

                           V. Committee Votes

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list each record vote 
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. The 
Committee advises that there were no record votes taken on H.R. 
3320, including a motion by Mr. Pallone ordering H.R. 3320 
favorably reported to the House, as amended.

                         VI. Oversight Findings

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII and clause 2(b)(1) 
of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
oversight findings and recommendations of the Committee are 
reflected in the descriptive portion of the report.

 VII. New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures

    Pursuant to 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the 
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax 
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.
    The Committee has requested but not received from the 
Director of the Congressional Budget Office a statement as to 
whether this bill contains any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.

                    VIII. Federal Mandates Statement

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

       IX. Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII, the general 
performance goal or objective of this legislation is to support 
efforts to increase the diversity in the physical therapy, 
occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, and 
speech-language pathology professions.

                   X. Duplication of Federal Programs

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII, no provision of 
H.R. 3320 is known to be duplicative of another Federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                      XI. Committee Cost Estimate

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII, the Committee 
adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by the Director of 
the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

    XII. Earmarks, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits

    Pursuant to clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 3320 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

                   XIII. Advisory Committee Statement

    No advisory committee within the meaning of section 5(b) of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act was created by this 
legislation.

                XIV. Applicability to Legislative Branch

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

           XV. Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 designates that the Act may be cited as the 
``Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2021.''

Sec. 2. Increasing workforce diversity in the professions of physical 
        therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, 
        and speech-language pathology

    Section 2 amends the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) 
authorizing the Secretary to award grants and contracts to 
eligible entities to increase diversity in the physical 
therapy, occupation therapy, respiratory therapy, audiology, 
and speech-language pathology professions. Grants and contracts 
may be used to provide student scholarships or stipends for the 
completion of select degree programs, assistance for completion 
of prerequisite courses or other preparation necessary for 
enrollment in accredited education programs, and to carry out 
activities to ensure the retention of students.
    Section 2 requires the Secretary to consider the 
recommendations of national organizations representing the 
professions of interest when awarding grants and contracts.
    Section 2 requires award recipients to report information 
regarding annual admission, retention, and graduation rates for 
eligible individuals. If rates reported by a recipient fall 
below the average of the previous two years, the recipient must 
provide the Secretary with plans for immediately improving 
rates. If the plan of the recipient fails to improve rates 
within one-year of plan implementation, the recipient becomes 
ineligible for continued funding.
    Section 2 also specifies definitions for eligible entities 
and individuals. Eligible entities are defined as accredited 
education programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy, 
respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech pathology 
professions. Eligible individuals are defined as those who are 
(1) underrepresented in the professions of interest, 
specifically, racial or ethnic minorities, from disadvantaged 
backgrounds, or individuals with a disability; (2) in financial 
need for a scholarship or stipend; and (3) enrolled or accepted 
for enrollment at an eligible entity for a program in the 
professions of interest.
    Finally, Section 2 authorizes $8 million for each of the 
five fiscal years following enactment.

Sec. 3. Eligibility clarification regarding students supported through 
        mental and behavioral health education and training grants

    Section 3 amends the PHSA to make eligible accredited 
institutions of higher education or professional training that 
are establishing or expanding master's and doctoral level 
programs related to occupational therapy for grants to support 
the recruitment of students by the Secretary.

       XVI. Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italics, and existing law in which no 
change is proposed is shown in roman):

                       PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT


TITLE VII--HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PART D--INTERDISCIPLINARY, COMMUNITY-BASED LINKAGES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 756. MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION AND TRAINING GRANTS.

  (a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary may award grants to 
eligible institutions to support the recruitment of students 
for, and education and clinical experience of the students in--
          (1) accredited institutions of higher education or 
        accredited professional training programs that are 
        establishing or expanding internships or other field 
        placement programs in mental health in psychiatry, 
        psychology, school psychology, behavioral pediatrics, 
        psychiatric nursing (which may include master's and 
        doctoral level programs), social work, school social 
        work, substance use disorder prevention and treatment, 
        marriage and family therapy, occupational therapy 
        (which may include master's and doctoral level 
        programs), school counseling, or professional 
        counseling, including such programs with a focus on 
        child and adolescent mental health, trauma, and 
        transitional-age youth;
          (2) accredited doctoral, internship, and post-
        doctoral residency programs of health service 
        psychology (including clinical psychology, counseling, 
        and school psychology) for the development and 
        implementation of interdisciplinary training of 
        psychology graduate students for providing behavioral 
        health services, including trauma-informed care and 
        substance use disorder prevention and treatment 
        services, as well as the development of faculty in 
        health service psychology;
          (3) accredited master's and doctoral degree programs 
        of social work for the development and implementation 
        of interdisciplinary training of social work graduate 
        students for providing behavioral health services, 
        including trauma-informed care and substance use 
        disorder prevention and treatment services, and the 
        development of faculty in social work; and
          (4) State-licensed mental health nonprofit and for-
        profit organizations to enable such organizations to 
        pay for programs for preservice or in-service training 
        in a behavioral health-related paraprofessional field 
        with preference for preservice or in-service training 
        of paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health 
        workers.
  (b) Eligibility Requirements.--To be eligible for a grant 
under this section, an institution shall demonstrate--
          (1) an ability to recruit and place the students 
        described in subsection (a) in areas with a high need 
        and high demand population;
          (2) participation in the institutions' programs of 
        individuals and groups from different racial, ethnic, 
        cultural, geographic, religious, linguistic, and class 
        backgrounds, and different genders and sexual 
        orientations;
          (3) knowledge and understanding of the concerns of 
        the individuals and groups described in paragraph (2), 
        especially individuals with mental disorder symptoms or 
        diagnoses, particularly children and adolescents, and 
        transitional-age youth;
          (4) any internship or other field placement program 
        assisted under the grant will prioritize cultural and 
        linguistic competency; and
          (5) the institution will provide to the Secretary 
        such data, assurances, and information as the Secretary 
        may require.
  (c) Institutional Requirement.--For grants awarded under 
paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (a), at least 4 of the 
grant recipients shall be historically black colleges or 
universities or other minority-serving institutions.
  (d) Priority.--In selecting grant recipients under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to--
          (1) programs that have demonstrated the ability to 
        train psychology, psychiatry, and social work 
        professionals to work in integrated care settings for 
        purposes of recipients under paragraphs (1), (2), and 
        (3) of subsection (a); and
          (2) programs for paraprofessionals that emphasize the 
        role of the family and the lived experience of the 
        consumer and family-paraprofessional partnerships for 
        purposes of recipients under subsection (a)(4).
  (e) Report to Congress.--Not later than 4 years after the 
date of enactment of the Helping Families in Mental Health 
Crisis Reform Act of 2016, the Secretary shall include in the 
biennial report submitted to Congress under section 501(m) an 
assessment on the effectiveness of the grants under this 
section in--
          (1) providing graduate students support for 
        experiential training (internship or field placement);
          (2) recruiting students interested in behavioral 
        health practice;
          (3) recruiting students in accordance with subsection 
        (b)(1);
          (4) developing and implementing interprofessional 
        training and integration within primary care;
          (5) developing and implementing accredited field 
        placements and internships; and
          (6) collecting data on the number of students trained 
        in behavioral health care and the number of available 
        accredited internships and field placements.
  (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For each of fiscal 
years 2019 through 2023, there are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $50,000,000, to be 
allocated as follows:
          (1) For grants described in subsection (a)(1), 
        $15,000,000.
          (2) For grants described in subsection (a)(2), 
        $15,000,000.
          (3) For grants described in subsection (a)(3), 
        $10,000,000.
          (4) For grants described in subsection (a)(4), 
        $10,000,000.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


 PART G--INCREASING WORKFORCE DIVERSITY IN THE PROFESSIONS OF PHYSICAL 
  THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, RESPIRATORY THERAPY, AUDIOLOGY, AND 
                       SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

SEC. 783. SCHOLARSHIPS AND STIPENDS.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary may award grants and contracts 
to eligible entities to increase educational opportunities in 
the professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, 
respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology 
for eligible individuals by--
          (1) providing student scholarships or stipends, 
        including for--
                  (A) completion of an accelerated degree 
                program;
                  (B) completion of an associate's, bachelor's, 
                master's, or doctoral degree program; and
                  (C) entry by a diploma or associate's degree 
                practitioner into a bridge or degree completion 
                program;
          (2) providing assistance for completion of 
        prerequisite courses or other preparation necessary for 
        acceptance for enrollment in the eligible entity; and
          (3) carrying out activities to increase the retention 
        of students in one or more programs in the professions 
        of physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory 
        therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology.
  (b) Consideration of Recommendations.--In carrying out 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall take into consideration the 
recommendations of national organizations representing the 
professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, 
respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology, 
including the American Physical Therapy Association, the 
American Occupational Therapy Association, the American Speech-
Language-Hearing Association, the American Association for 
Respiratory Care, the American Academy of Audiology, and the 
Academy of Doctors of Audiology.
  (c) Required Information and Conditions for Award 
Recipients.--
          (1) In general.--The Secretary may require recipients 
        of awards under this section to report to the Secretary 
        concerning the annual admission, retention, and 
        graduation rates for eligible individuals in programs 
        of the recipient leading to a degree in any of the 
        professions of physical therapy, occupational therapy, 
        respiratory therapy, audiology, and speech-language 
        pathology.
          (2) Falling rates.--If any of the rates reported by a 
        recipient under paragraph (1) fall below the average 
        for such recipient over the two years preceding the 
        year covered by the report, the recipient shall provide 
        the Secretary with plans for immediately improving such 
        rates.
          (3) Ineligibility.--A recipient described in 
        paragraph (2) shall be ineligible for continued funding 
        under this section if the plan of the recipient fails 
        to improve the rates within the 1-year period beginning 
        on the date such plan is implemented.
  (d) Definitions.--In this section:
          (1) Eligible entities.--The term ``eligible entity'' 
        means an accredited education program that is carrying 
        out a program for recruiting and retaining students 
        underrepresented in the professions of physical 
        therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, 
        audiology, and speech-language pathology (including 
        racial or ethnic minorities, or students from 
        disadvantaged backgrounds).
          (2) Eligible individual.--The term ``eligible 
        individual'' means an individual who--
                  (A) is a member of a class of persons who are 
                underrepresented in the professions of physical 
                therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory 
                therapy, audiology, and speech-language 
                pathology, including individuals who are--
                          (i) racial or ethnic minorities;
                          (ii) from disadvantaged backgrounds; 
                        or
                          (iii) individuals with a disability 
                        (as defined in section 3(1) of the 
                        Americans with Disabilities Act of 
                        1990), or who have an individualized 
                        education program (as defined in 
                        section 602 of the Individuals with 
                        Disabilities Education Act), are 
                        covered under section 504 of the 
                        Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or have 
                        other documentation establishing the 
                        student's disability (as such term is 
                        defined in section 3(1) of the 
                        Americans with Disabilities Act of 
                        1990);
                  (B) has a financial need for a scholarship or 
                stipend; and
                  (C) is enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) 
                at an audiology, speech-language pathology, 
                respiratory therapy, physical therapy, or 
                occupational therapy program as a full-time 
                student at an eligible entity.
  (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to 
be appropriated to carry out this section $8,000,000 for the 
first fiscal year commencing after the date of enactment of the 
Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act of 2021 and each of the 4 
succeeding fiscal years.

                     PART [G] H--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 791. PREFERENCES AND REQUIRED INFORMATION IN CERTAIN PROGRAMS.

  (a) Preferences in Making Awards.--
          (1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in making 
        awards of grants or contracts under any of sections 747 
        and 750, the Secretary shall give preference to any 
        qualified applicant that--
                  (A) has a high rate for placing graduates in 
                practice settings having the principal focus of 
                serving residents of medically underserved 
                communities;
                  (B) during the 2-year period preceding the 
                fiscal year for which such an award is sought, 
                has achieved a significant increase in the rate 
                of placing graduates in such settings; or
                  (C) utilizes a longitudinal evaluation (as 
                described in section 761(d)(2)) and reports 
                data from such system to the national workforce 
                database (as established under section 
                761(b)(2)(E)).
          (2) Limitation regarding peer review.--For purposes 
        of paragraph (1), the Secretary may not give an 
        applicant preference if the proposal of the applicant 
        is ranked at or below the 20th percentile of proposals 
        that have been recommended for approval by peer review 
        groups.
  (b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``graduate'' means, unless otherwise specified, an individual 
who has successfully completed all training and residency 
requirements necessary for full certification in the health 
profession selected by the individual.
  (c) Exceptions for New Programs.--
          (1) In general.--To permit new programs to compete 
        equitably for funding under this section, those new 
        programs that meet at least 4 of the criteria described 
        in paragraph (3) shall qualify for a funding preference 
        under this section.
          (2) Definition.--As used in this subsection, the term 
        ``new program'' means any program that has graduated 
        less than three classes. Upon graduating at least three 
        classes, a program shall have the capability to provide 
        the information necessary to qualify the program for 
        the general funding preferences described in subsection 
        (a).
          (3) Criteria.--The criteria referred to in paragraph 
        (1) are the following:
                  (A) The mission statement of the program 
                identifies a specific purpose of the program as 
                being the preparation of health professionals 
                to serve underserved populations.
                  (B) The curriculum of the program includes 
                content which will help to prepare 
                practitioners to serve underserved populations.
                  (C) Substantial clinical training experience 
                is required under the program in medically 
                underserved communities.
                  (D) A minimum of 20 percent of the clinical 
                faculty of the program spend at least 50 
                percent of their time providing or supervising 
                care in medically underserved communities.
                  (E) The entire program or a substantial 
                portion of the program is physically located in 
                a medically underserved community.
                  (F) Student assistance, which is linked to 
                service in medically underserved communities 
                following graduation, is available to the 
                students in the program.
                  (G) The program provides a placement 
                mechanism for deploying graduates to medically 
                underserved communities.

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