Pascrell Reintroduces Legislation to Help Low-Income Americans Meet Career Goals

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), New Jersey’s only member of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, today reintroduced his legislation to provide education and training to low-income Americans for health occupations that are in high-demand or are experiencing labor shortages. Rep. Pascrell’s Health Opportunities to Promote Equity (HOPE) Act would expand the current Health Profession Opportunity Grant (HPOG) program and guarantee each state at least two HPOG grantees.

“The Health Profession Opportunity Grant Program is critical to our nation’s health and future. By providing education and training to underserved Americans for needed health occupations, the HPOG program is a lifeline for communities here in New Jersey and across America. I’m proud to lead the fight to expand and grow HPOG to meet 21st century demands,” said Rep. Pascrell. “While some states are fortunate to have multiple HPOG grantees in their cities and towns, not every state has one of these programs. This deficiency is precisely why I’m leading the HOPE Act, which guarantees that every state will have an HPOG program. My legislation will move more families into the middle class by facilitating the creation of more high-demand health care jobs for every community.”

As one of 29 states without any current HPOG grantees, New Jersey would benefit significantly under an expansion of the HPOG program. Bergen County Community College’s Health Professions program could be bolstered by the formation of HPOG programs in New Jersey, as many hopeful candidates would receive the support they need to take that next step in their career training.

Rep. Pascrell introduced an earlier version of this bill last Congress, which was approved by the Ways and Means Committee in 2019.

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