H.R. 5370: Pathways to Health Careers Act

The bill, known as the "Pathways to Health Careers Act," aims to provide low-income individuals with pathways to enter and succeed in various health professions. The key features of the bill include provisions for grants to organizations that will create programs targeting health career training for eligible individuals, specifically those whose family income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level.

Career Pathway Grants

Starting October 1, 2025, the bill introduces a structured grant program within the Social Security Act, called "Career pathways through health profession opportunity grants." Eligible entities can apply for these grants to develop projects aimed at:

• Training individuals for well-paying health occupations.
• Providing services such as adult basic education, work readiness training, and case management.
• Managing applications of participants with arrest or conviction records, and supporting their journey toward obtaining credentials in health professions.
• Addressing maternal health by training personnel like doulas or midwives if recognized by the state.

Application Requirements

Organizations must submit detailed applications demonstrating their capacity to:

• Use a career pathways approach.
• Provide support services, including childcare and transportation.
• Offer post-employment support and ongoing training.
• Consult local workforce development boards and consider apprenticeship models.

Grant Preferences

When evaluating grant applications, the bill instructs the Secretary of the program to give preference to projects that:

• Have previous grant experience.
• Include partnerships with government agencies, educational institutions, and healthcare employers.
• Serve rural areas or include monetary stipends for participants.
• Incorporate peer support and mentoring opportunities within their plans.

Funding and Administration

The bill proposes an allocation of $435 million each fiscal year from 2026 to 2030 for these programs, with specific percentages reserved for various grant types, including those focusing on Indian populations. Additionally, funds will be used for evaluating the effectiveness of the programs and providing technical assistance to grant recipients.

Training and Support Services

Entities awarded grants will need to ensure that participants receive:

• Training sufficient to earn industry-recognized credentials in health professions.
• Access to basic skills education if required.
• Support services, including childcare, transportation, and financial assistance in emergencies.

Demonstration Projects

Beyond general grants, the bill allows for demonstration projects that focus on:

• Individuals with arrest or conviction records entering health careers.
• Training related to maternal health, specifically for doulas and midwives.

These projects must have a minimum duration of five years and evaluate their success regarding labor shortages in health professions.

Evaluation and Reporting

Grant recipients must provide periodic reports on participant outcomes, including employment rates, and must undergo evaluations to assess the overall impact of their initiatives on workforce shortages in the health sector.

Relevant Companies

None found.