“To provide low-income individuals with opportunities to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section revises section 2008 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397g), effective October 1, 2025, to specify application requirements for Health Profession Opportunity Grants (HPOG). The program supports career pathways training for eligible individuals—generally low-income populations—for well-paying health professions or occupations leading thereto, including adult basic education, work readiness, occupational training, case management, mentoring, employer connections, and job placement. Grant applications must include (1) descriptions of support services such as guaranteed child care and transportation and any cash stipends or wage supplements; (2) consultations with local workforce development boards, consideration of apprenticeships and state career pathway programs, and use of labor market data on in-demand jobs; (3) demonstrations of applicant experience with low-income populations and commitments to hire staff, accept technical assistance, participate in peer conferences, and report data; and (4) for specified demonstration projects, additional elements such as (a) state policies enabling allied health and behavioral health credentials for individuals with arrest or conviction records, including recruitment and post-employment plans, or (b) state recognition of doulas or midwives and tailored training for pregnancy, birth, or postpartum services. In awarding grants, the Secretary must prefer (1) prior HPOG grantees and (2) applicants with business and community partners in specified categories.