the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (H.R. 3637)


Lindsay Cowen OTD-S Resident Intern, Mallory Rapalyea OTD-S Resident Intern, and Barbara Kornblau JD, OTR/L, FAOTA

The American Occupational Therapy Associate (AOTA) brought together occupational therapy practitioners and students from around the US for AOTA Hill Day on September 24th. The OT on the Hill team stood with AOTA and OTs from around the nation, who met with representatives, senators, and/or their congressional staffers to advocate for the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act. On Oct. 28th, the House of Representatives unanimously passed the Educating Medical Professionals and Optimizing Workforce Efficiency and Readiness for Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 2781). Included in this bill, is the Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act (H.R. 3637).

The intention of H.R. 3637 is to create legislation that provides grants to increase opportunities for individuals who are from underrepresented backgrounds, including students from racial and ethnic minorities, in the professions of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, and audiology.

Congratulations to the advocacy teams and AOTA on the passing of this legislation. This bill now moves to the Senate for their review.

Reference
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2019). Legislation to promote ot workforce diversity passes House vote. Bethesda, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.
To cite this page in APA format, please use the following citation:
Cowen, L., Rapalyea, M., & Kornblau, B. (2019, November). The Allied Health Workforce Diversity Act. Retrieved from https://www.otonthehill.com/one-minute-reads