Government
Senate bill would expand senior care training
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 2, 2009
A measure introduced Jan. 14 by Sen. Herb Kohl (D, Wis.) would provide about $120 million over three years largely to train physicians and other health care professionals to care for seniors.
The Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act of 2009 would, for example, provide grants of $150,000 to up to 24 geriatric education centers that offer short-term, intensive courses on geriatrics, chronic care management, and long-term care. The courses could count as continuing medical education training.
"The number of health care workers devoted to caring for older Americans is experiencing a shortage -- one that will only grow more desperate as our country ages rapidly. The United States will not be able to meet the approaching demand for health care and long-term care without a work force that is prepared for the job," said Kohl, chair of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. The measure has two co-sponsors, both Democrats.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/02/02/gvbf0202.htm.
