Bill targets medical lab worker shortage with new funding, loan aid

What does this do?

The bill adds "medical laboratory personnel," including phlebotomists, lab technicians, histotechnologists, and genetic counselors, to existing federal health workforce programs. It expands the National Health Service Corps so lab workers can get scholarships or loan repayment for working in underserved areas, and creates a new three-year grant program to fund training programs at hospitals, schools, and nonprofits.

Who does it affect?

The bill affects medical lab workers, students pursuing lab careers, training programs and hospitals, and communities facing shortages of lab testing services.

Why does it matter?

Expanding these programs could change staffing patterns and funding access for lab training programs, and affect how quickly underserved areas can fill lab testing gaps that impact disease diagnosis and treatment.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• $25 million authorized first year
• funding continues in later years