Inside Higher Ed: DEI Bans Flourished in 2024. Politicians Aren’t Finished.

In 2024, six states passed anti-DEI laws targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public universities, including bans on DEI offices, mandatory diversity statements, and trainings. This trend, which shifted focus from earlier efforts to restrict classroom concepts like critical race theory, led to widespread institutional changes, even in states without such laws. Many colleges preemptively shuttered DEI offices and cultural centers, often under pressure from lawmakers. With Republicans gaining control in 23 states, additional anti-DEI legislation is expected in 2025, alongside potential renewed efforts to regulate classroom content under the guise of protecting academic freedom.

Read more here.

ASAHP Announces October Annual Conference to Help Health Professions Educators Navigate the Future

Washington, D.C. – The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) announced today that its 2024 Annual Conference  will take place October 8-10, 2024 at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia. This year’s conference theme, “Blazing the Trail: Navigating the Changing Landscape of Higher Education and Health Professions,” will examine trends and challenges unique to institutions and professional members across the country that educate the healthcare workforce of the future. Health professions educators, clinicians, and industry partners will engage with peers on key issues and will collaborate on how best to prepare students entering the health professions workforce, giving the increasing demand  for healthcare workers. The conference will also include a special evening event on Tuesday, October 8 at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights (NCCHR).  The 2024 ASAHP Annual Conference is open to all and registration is available here.  

***Early registration pricing ends TODAY, Friday September 6.***

“We hope to build on our 2023 ASAHP conference, which was our largest ever, with 430 participants from 150 higher ed institutions across the U.S. as well as industry partners,” said ASAHP President  Dr. Craig R. Jackson, MSW, JD, FASAHP, Dean of the School of Allied Health Professions at Loma Linda University. “ASAHP’s 2024 annual conference provides the perfect forum to work side by side with colleagues from across the country while exchanging ideas and sharing best practices related to the teaching and training taking place at each of our ASAHP member institutions.”

National and international speakers will share insights on emerging issues at this year’s conference  including:

• Advancements in Technology within Health Professions Education and Practice

• Frameworks for Fostering Interprofessional Education and Collaboration 

• The Changing Landscape for DEI and Accreditation

• Enhancing Innovation and Excellence in Health Professions 

• Tackling Shortages in Health Professions Education and Practice

• New Models for Health Professions Education and Practice 

• Select Topics Related to Health Professions

Speakers include:

• Renowned international presenter, researcher, and technology evaluator Dr. Robbie Melton, PhD., Acting Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Tennessee State University - “Artificial Intelligence and Technology in Health Professions Education”

• Josh Mintz, President, CHP Mintz, LLC - “Leadership in a Time of Polarization”

• Cindy Irani, JD  and John Przypyszny,  JD - Partners with Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP - “The Changing Landscape for DEI and Accreditation”

• C​​ynthia Hughes-Harris, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, FASAHP, Retired Dean, School of Allied Health Sciences, Florida A&M University- Dean’s Emerita Lecture

• Dr. Craig Jackson, MSW, JD, FASAHP, Dean, School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University -Welcome address and “What Keeps Deans up at Night”

In addition, the following ASAHP members will present two panel sessions on  “Strengthening Infrastructure for Health Faculty and Research Enterprise Development” and “The Changing Landscape of Higher Education.”

As a complement to the numerous speaker presentations, breakout discussion groups and committee meetings, the conference will also feature presentations from research grant recipients from previous years who will share new knowledge about: wellness risk factors and interventions for graduate students; factors that hinder success for students of color in health and human service programs; how interprofessional home health management can benefit aging in place and how interprofessional training can enhance outcomes for patients with aphasia, among other topics. Recipients of ASAHP’s Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care will also share insights at the conference.

About ASAHP
The Association of School Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) is a national professional organization of 130 universities and employers focused on critical issues affecting health professions education. ASAHP’s mission is to advance health professions education and discovery through interprofessional collaboration, leadership, excellence, and innovation. As much as 60% of the U.S. healthcare workforce may be classified as ‘health professions’ which are distinct from medicine, nursing, and dentistry, yet equally vital to the health and wellbeing of our society.

Contact:
Kristen Truong 
kristen@asahp.org
Director of Public Affairs
ASAHP

HRSA Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students Forecasted Grant Opportunity

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) funding opportunity is forecasted to post on September 30, 2024, with an estimated application due date of December 30, 2024. The purpose of the program is to increase diversity in the health professions and nursing workforce by providing awards to eligible health professions schools for use in awarding scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have financial need, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.   The SDS program aims to increase the: 1) number of graduates practicing in primary care, 2) enrollment and retention of full-time students from disadvantaged backgrounds including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups, and 3) number of graduates working in medically underserved communities. 85 awards are estimated, for an estimated total program funding of $ 51.47 million.

More details may be accessed here.

HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals Forecasted Grant Opportunity

The HRSA BHWET Program for Paraprofessionals funding opportunity is forecasted to post on December 20, 2024, with an estimated application due date of March 20, 2025. The purpose of the program is to develop and expand community-based experiential training such as field placements and internships to increase the supply of students preparing to become peer support specialists and other behavioral health-related paraprofessionals while also improving distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of the specific concerns of children, adolescents, and young adults in high need and high demand areas at risk for behavioral health disorders. 31 awards are expected, for an estimated total program funding of $10.9 million.

More information may be accessed here.

HRSA Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Professionals Forecasted Grant Opportunity

The HRSA BHWET Program for Professionals funding opportunity is forecasted to post on October 24, 2024, with an estimated application due date of January 21, 2025. The purpose of the program is to increase the supply of behavioral health professionals while also improving distribution of a quality behavioral health workforce and thereby increasing access to behavioral health services. A special focus is placed on the knowledge and understanding of children, adolescents, and transitional-aged youth at risk for behavioral health disorders. 101 awards are expected, for an estimated $59.6 million in total program funding.

More information may be accessed here.

Senate Appropriations Committee Advances FY 25 Labor-HHS Funding Bill

The Senate Appropriations Committee marked up four of its FY 25 appropriations bills yesterday, including its $231 billion Labor-HHS bill, which is nearly $6 billion above FY 24 enacted funding levels. The Senate bill is in marked contrast to the FY 25 House Labor-HHS Appropriations bill which provides 11% less than FY 24 enacted levels. The Senate Labor-HHS bill moved through the Appropriations Committee by a vote of 25-3. The bill provides $122.8 billion in discretionary funding for HHS and $80 billion in discretionary funding for the Department of Education. The Senate has now passed 11 of its 12 FY 25 funding bills through Committee. The House passed their Labor-HHS bill out of Committee earlier this year. Both the House and Senate have left for their annual August recess and return September 9. It is likely that the Labor-HHS bill will be resolved in a post-election lame duck session of Congress. Bill text, report language, and summaries from the Senate Appropriations Committee are here.

ASAHP Awards 2024 Excellence in Interprofessional Collaboration

Washington, D.C., August 1, 2024 – The Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) is pleased to announce the University of Central Florida (UCF) has been awarded ASAHP’s Award for Institutional Excellence and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Health Care. “ASAHP’s multidisciplinary membership has made it a leader in interprofessional health education (IPE) and practice (IPCP), and ASAHP serves as a collaborative resource and advocates for interprofessional education to students, faculty, professional accrediting bodies, and practitioners through instruction, research and service,” said ASAHP President Craig Jackson, MSW, JD, FASAHP. “The ASAHP Board would like to offer our congratulations to the University of Central Florida for their incredible achievement in IPE and IPCP.

University of Central Florida

The University of Central Florida’s Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the College of Medicine, Dr. Deborah German, M.D., shared, “When healthcare professionals work together as a team, the patient always gets better care. Our faculty are committed to creating that kind of experience for all of our students.” 

College of Health Professions and Sciences Interim Dean Matthew Theriot, Ph.D., stated, “We’re incredibly excited to be honored by ASAHP for our innovation in interprofessional education and collaborative healthcare. This recognition is a testament to our dedicated faculty teams who champion this critical work as they train and inspire the next generation of healthcare providers while caring for our community. We’re grateful for ASAHP’s continued leadership in advancing a collaborative approach to healthcare.”

The award winner will be recognized at the 2024 ASAHP Annual Conference Awards Ceremony on October 8, 2024. The winner will be invited to present their work at the 2024 ASAHP Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on October 9, 2024.

About ASAHP
The Association of School Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) is a national professional organization of 130 universities and employers focused on critical issues affecting health professions education. ASAHP’s mission is to advance health professions education and discovery through interprofessional collaboration, leadership, excellence, and innovation. As much as 60% of the U.S. healthcare workforce may be classified as ‘health professions’ which are distinct from medicine, nursing, and dentistry, yet equally vital to the health and wellbeing of our society.

Contact:

Kristen Truong kristen@asahp.org Director of Public Affairs ASAHP

House Appropriations Committee Advances FY 25 Labor-HHS Bill

The Labor-HHS bill advanced out of the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. The vote was 31-25, with all Democrats present opposed to the bill, which cuts spending by 11 percent compared to enacted FY 24 levels. The House Appropriations Committee’s press release also provides an overview of the markup and may be accessed here. The bill, report, amendments, and a four-page summary is available here.

House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) said Democrats will accept nothing less than a one percent increase for Labor-HHS, and each of the other bills. DeLauro released an updated fact sheet on revised subcommittee allocations, more fact sheets regarding the Labor-HHS bill, and sent a letter to her Democratic colleagues in which she again called for at least $786 billion in nondefense funding, said every additional dollar for defense will be matched by a dollar for nondefense, and stated the House Republican bills cut nondefense spending by more than $52 billion from FY 24 and leave more than $60 billion nondefense funding on the table.

Senate Appropriations Chair Patty Murray (D-WA) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-ME) agreed to add $34.5 billion in emergency spending. Of that amount, $21 billion would go to defense and $13.5 billion would go to domestic and foreign aid accounts. The additional emergency funds, and additional adjustments from the side deal negotiated last summer as part of the debt limit deal, could bring defense spending to $30 billion (3.4 percent) above FY 24, and bring nondefense spending at least $20 billion (2.7 percent) above FY 24. This differs significantly to House appropriations bills, in which defense would receive a one percent increase and nondefense would receive a six to seven percent cut compared to FY 24. Chair Cole said yesterday that he believes defense programs need more funding.

Both chambers of Congress are out next week for the Republican National Convention. House leaders hope to pass their Labor-HHS on the House floor prior to August recess, and Senate Appropriations Chair Murray has passed three bills in full committee, and the Labor-HHS bill is one of nine more FY 25 bills that need to be considered in full committee.

Inside Higher Ed: Rules Banning Transcript Holds, Expanding Overtime Now in Effect

A suite of new regulations governing higher education took effect Monday. Here’s what you should know about the key measures now in place—and the legal challenges they face. Several of those regulations and other changes that became effective July 1 are facing legal challenges, and some have been blocked. Whether they remain in place may depend on how federal courts interpret Friday’s Supreme Court ruling that limits the regulatory power of federal agencies—and on the outcome of the presidential election in November. -Inside Higher Ed

Read more here.

House Appropriations Subcommittee Advances FY 25 Labor-HHS-ED Funding Bill

Today, the House Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS-ED Subcommittee approved its FY 25 funding bill by voice vote. The bill is expected to be considered in Full Committee on July 10th.

The Subcommittee markup may be viewed here.

House Appropriators Release FY 25 Labor-HHS-ED Funding Bill

Today, the House Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS-ED Appropriations Subcommittee released the text of its FY 25 funding bill in anticipation of marking up the bill tomorrow at 8:00am. The bill is expected to pass through Subcommittee along party lines with amendments likely held until the full Committee markup on July 10th.

Overall, the FY 25 Labor-HHS bill provides 11 percent less funding than FY 24 enacted levels and is 15 percent below the President’s budget request.

The Department of Education would receive $68.1 billion, a decrease of $11 billion, or 14 percent, below the fiscal year 2024 level and $14.5 billion below the President’s FY 25 request. The bill would provide $22.5 billion for the Pell Grant program, equal to the 2024 level and $2.1 billion below the President’s FY 25 request, and $7,395 for the maximum Pell Grant award, equal to the 2024 level and $750 below the President’s FY 25 request.

The Department of Health and Human Services would receive $109.5 billion, a decrease of $7.5 billion, or 6.4 percent, below the FY 24 level and $9.7 billion below the President’s FY 25 request. The bill includes $7.4 billion for HRSA, a decrease of $647 million below 2024 levels (excluding Community Project Funding, also known as earmarks) and $892 million below the 2025 request.

Senate Appropriators have not yet released their spending allocations, nor a date for markup in subcommittee or full committee.

Please find links to Chair Aderholt’s press release and  bill text, as well as Republican and Democratic summaries. The markup can be viewed here.

In Memoriam: Richard Talbott, PhD

Richard Talbott, who retired as Dean of the Covey College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama, died over the Memorial Day weekend. He served as President of ASAHP in 2011-2013. His duties back then included guiding a seamless transition in 2012 entailing the retirement of the Association’s executive director to the hiring of a successor for that position and moving the organization’s headquarters to another location in Washington, DC.

Important activities undertaken during his period of leadership were both of an internal and external nature. Internally, he launched a revision of the Association’s Strategic Plan and used his parliamentary skills to modify the Policy & Procedures Manual. He helped plan the ASAHP Leadership Development Program that would be offered in 2013. He implemented a new Interdisciplinary Research Award to finance a means of positioning new scholars to seek larger extramural grants. He also oversaw a conversion to using a commercial firm to perform logistical duties electronically for an ever-growing number of new manuscript submissions to the Journal of Allied Health.
 
Externally, in 2012 he represented ASAHP in the newly established Institute of Medicine (IOM) Global Forum on Innovation in Health Professional Education. The purpose of this endeavor was to engage key organizations in discussions to illuminate contemporary health profession education issues and create a mechanism to incubate and review new ideas. He worked with representatives of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors to discuss how to formalize and enhance communication between that organization and ASAHP. Common topics of interest included interprofessional education, simulation, clinical education hybrid models, and telehealth.
 
As a way of enhancing ASAHP’s activities on Capitol Hill, he was instrumental in creating a (PAC) Political Action Committee for the Association. Also, amicus briefs were filed in August 2012 and September 2013 for cases under consideration by the U.S. Supreme Court on the topic of affirmative action in higher education institutions.

House Appropriations Committee Releases Funding Allocations and Markup Schedule

House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Cole (R-OK) announced his FY 25 funding allocations for each of the twelve Appropriations Subcommittees. Similar to last year, these allocations did not include additional funding from the “side deal” to the debt limit agreement. If included, it would have provided a 1% overall increase for domestic programs. However, without this side agreement, Cole states that the allocations reflect a 6% overall cut to domestic programs below last year’s levels, and the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee would see a 10% cut below last year’s level. Chair Cole intends to mark up the Labor-HHS in Subcommittee is June 27 with Full Committee markup on July 10. 

House Democrats have already signaled their strong opposition to the proposed FY 25 funding allotments. House Appropriations Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) laid out the stark divide on nondefense spending in the House in her press release, which details the enacted $778 billion FY 24 nondefense spending line, compared to the no higher than $711 billion FY 25 level sought by House Republicans, and the at least $786 billion FY 25 level sought by House Democrats. DeLauro said any additional increases to defense funding must be paired with dollar-for-dollar increases in nondefense funding.

The House Republican allocations may be accessed here, and the markup schedule here. The House Democrat’s press release may be accessed here.

House Education Committee Holds Hearing on FY 25 Education Budget Request

On Tuesday, the House Education and Workforce Full Committee held a nearly four hour hearing on “Examining the Education Department’s Policies, Priorities, and FY 2023 Financial Audit Failure” with Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. The hearing was highly contentious, with a central focus on the FAFSA rollout, student loan forgiveness, Title IX rule, and college campus protests. Chair Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and her fellow Republicans stood firm on their stance against student loan forgiveness, often questioning the Department of Education’s Constitutional authority. Republicans raised concerns about additional regulations coming from the Department of Education, including Perkins and distance education.  A significant portion of the hearing focused on the protests on college campuses and the new Title IX rule. Other topics included federal workforce return to office, foreign influence on college campuses, transgender athletes, oversight on closed or merge colleges, mental health, illegal immigrants in the school system, homeless students, and IDEA.

Our hearing memo may be accessed here.

Department of Education Guidance on Title IV Discrimination

The Department of Education’s (ED) Office for Civil Rights issued new guidance through a Dear Colleague Letter to every school district and college in the country, providing examples of Antisemitic discrimination, as well as other forms of hate, that could lead to investigations for violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

A White House Fact Sheet may be accessed here. The Department of Education guidance may be accessed here.

House Education Committee to Hold Hearing with HHS Secretary

On Wednesday, May 15. at 10:15am Eastern, the House Education and the Workforce Committee will hold a hearing on the President’s FY 25 Budget Request, with testimony from HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Sec. Becerra testified with the House Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS Subcommittee on March 20 (here), and later that day with the House Ways and Means Committee (here). He testified with the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS Subcommittee on April 16 (here).

The hearing may be viewed here.