Political Quotes

“I rise to address the Senate today on the passage of the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998. This bill reauthorizes the programs funded through Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act. These programs are intended to increase access to primary care and to improve the distribution of members of the health professions--physicians, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and others--to underserved areas. For many years, this legislation has helped our nation's schools of health serve the needs of their communities better and prepare the health care practitioners of the future. This bill provides a comprehensive and flexible authority to support training programs for health professions and related community-based educational partnerships. It will improve the quality, diversity, and distribution of the work force. The Senate has worked diligently on this effort for the past four years. Reauthorization has been a priority since the authority expired for Title VII programs in 1995 and for Title VIII programs in 1994.”