Health Workforce Innovation Act

The Health Workforce Innovation Act creates a new federal program to fund innovative training models for allied health professionals, such as medical assistants, dental hygienists, and community health workers, with a focus on underserved and rural areas. Eligible applicants include federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and accredited vocational programs that must submit detailed plans describing their community-driven approach, geographic service areas, and how they will recruit and retain workers from disadvantaged backgrounds. Funds awarded under this program, capped at $2.5 million per grant, can support partnerships with schools, apprenticeships, training equipment, and infrastructure improvements but cannot be used for construction or to replace existing funding. The Secretary of Health and Human Services will prioritize grants that increase workforce diversity, improve healthcare access, and demonstrate cost-effective replication potential, with funded models required to last at least three years.