Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024

# Summary of Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2024 This comprehensive legislation addresses multiple aspects of health care access, workforce development, and immigration policy with a strong focus on health equity. ## Key Themes 1. **Workforce Diversity**: Significant emphasis on increasing racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity in the health care workforce 2. **Language Access**: Mandates for language access services for individuals with limited English proficiency 3. **Underserved Communities**: Targeted investments in medically underserved areas and communities 4. **Immigration Policy**: Modifications to programs that bring health care professionals to the U.S. ## Major Provisions ### Workforce Development - **$1 billion** for nursing education enhancement and modernization grants in underserved areas - **$552 million** for health professions workforce development in 2032 (increasing annually) - **$392 million** for health professions education programs in 2025 - New grants for schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine in underserved areas - Expansion of the Conrad State 30 program for foreign physicians to address physician shortages ### Language Access - Requires health care providers to provide language access services to individuals with limited English proficiency - Mandates translation services and interpretation services for all health care settings ### Diversity Initiatives - **David Satcher Public Health and Health Services Corps** to increase awareness of health career opportunities - **Louis Stokes Public Health Scholars Program** for underrepresented students - **Patsy Mink Health and Gender Research Fellowship Program** - **Paul David Wellstone International Health Fellowship Program** - **Edward R. Roybal Health Scholar Program** ### Immigration Policy - **Conrad State 30 program extension** through 2027 - **Physician retention** provisions to help foreign physicians stay in medically underserved areas - **Dual intent for physicians** seeking graduate medical training - **Clarifications to national interest waiver** requirements - **Automatic extension** of physician nonimmigrant status during residency transitions ### Funding - **Health Professions Workforce Fund** established with multi-year funding increasing from $392 million in 2025 to $552 million in 2032 - Specific allocations for nursing workforce development and health professions education This legislation represents a comprehensive approach to addressing health care disparities through workforce development, improved access, and policy changes to support a more diverse and equitable health care system.