Thank You, Advocates: You Garnered Support in the House, Now Let’s Push for the Senate!

The below content is an archived call to action. Please read above to see how you can currently get involved.

Contact Your House Representative Today by 1 p.m. EST to Help #SaveTheNHSC

Funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is facing a devastating funding cliff, and we need your help. As you may know, the NHSC serves more than 21 million people in our nation’s most medically underserved communities, but the Corps’ funding is now in jeopardy, with no guaranteed funding beyond the end of FY23 (Sept. 30).

To ensure the continuation of this critical program, the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) is issuing an urgent call to action. Having a strong showing of support for the NHSC program is critical as lawmakers negotiate the non-defense discretionary spending levels for FY24.

Please consider contacting your House Representative today and ask that they support the continuation of at least $175.6 million in discretionary funding for the NHSC in the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill. We apologize for the fast approaching deadline, but your Representative’s support is crucial to the Corps and the millions of individuals and families who rely on their services.

Suggested Talking Points

“Thank you for your bipartisan efforts to alleviate health workforce shortages in underserved areas during this public health emergency. I ask that you continue to build upon these efforts by supporting adequate and sustainable funding for the National Health Service Corps in Fiscal Year 2024. This vital program provides incentives for talented and capable health care professionals to deliver necessary, high-quality patient care in underserved areas.

The NHSC delivers important patient care to my community. My state is also facing an epidemic of opioid addiction, and the NHSC provides enhanced assistance to providers who specialize in treatment for substance use disorder.

This program is crucial for recruiting and retaining health care professionals in our state’s health centers and in Health Professional Shortage Areas. The COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated the pressing need for these programs as the pandemic strained the healthcare workforce and compelled some professionals to leave the medical field. It is important that strong funding levels are maintained as health care professionals across the country extend their service obligations and new professionals join their ranks.

To meet personnel and public health needs in underserved areas, Congress must ensure that the NHSC has the resources necessary to support those who commit to serving the most vulnerable Americans. I respectfully request that you provide $175.6 million in discretionary funding for the NHSC, which is consistent with the President’s FY 2024 Budget Request. Thank you.”

Remember: NHSC Funding Runs Out In

Now is a critical time to support the effort to preserve and extend funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)! We need your voice to urge Members of Congress to support bipartisan initiatives to address the need for NHSC’s funding. Become an advocate with ACU today, stay up to speed on what’s happening, take action, and ask all your friends and colleagues to join us as well!

Introducing Jordan Marshall, Your ACU Advocacy Contact

Jordan Marshall is leading ACU’s grassroots advocacy to secure long-term funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Contact Jordan with any questions regarding policy analysis or if ACU can be of assistance with your own organizational or individual advocacy.