The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced funding to promote behavioral health and support the health needs of children in families affected by the opioid crisis.
The federal government has announced nearly $100 million in funding to strengthen the health workforce. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), revealed this new investment during a Health Workforce Roundtable. The funding will support healthcare professionals’ recruitment, training, and expansion, especially in underserved and rural areas.
The initiative focuses on increasing the number of nurses, primary care physicians, and behavioral health specialists and integrating mental health services into pediatric care. From the press release:
“HHS launched our Health Workforce Initiative last year to make sure our country has enough health workers, and that those health workers are receiving the support they deserve. It is especially important that we address workforce shortages in underserved and rural communities, where access is often lacking,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Key areas of investment include:
- Nursing Workforce Expansion: Over $19 million will help five institutions, including two community colleges, expand the nursing workforce in healthcare.
- Primary Care Physician Growth: Nearly $12 million in 2024 will help three medical schools increase the number of primary care physicians in rural and tribal areas.
- Addressing the Opioid Crisis: Over $63 million will fund 32 organizations to train providers and peer specialists, supporting families impacted by opioid and substance use disorders.
- Pediatric Mental Health Integration: An additional $4.6 million will support mental health training for pediatricians and tele-consultations with psychiatrists for children’s services.
This investment presents an opportunity to address local health workforce challenges, enhance care for underserved communities, and strengthen responses to the opioid crisis.
