Merkley, Wyden Announce Over $1.6 Million to Give Students the Opportunity to Become Health Care Professionals

WASHINGTON D.C. – Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today that grants totaling over $1.6 million will be awarded to Oregon schools for health care education programs.

My wife Mary is a nurse and I know that health care professionals are the key to providing quality patient care,” said Merkley.  “These funds will give students who need financial assistance the opportunity to become doctors and nurses and other health care professionals, at a time when local communities need them more than ever.”

“This funding is an investment in family-wage jobs for Oregon,” Wyden said.  “Through scholarships and the expansion of health career programs, this funding will get job training to people who want to work and just need the opportunity.”

The funds will be distributed to the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students and the Health Careers Opportunities programs, which give assistance to students in need who are pursuing health care careers.  The funds are part of $500 million in the Recovery Act allocated to the Health and Human Services Administration to address doctor and nursing shortages.  For more information about these programs, visit the Oregon Health Career Center and the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students websites.  Funding for the Oregon projects are as follows:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act invests billions in upgrading our nation’s transportation infrastructure, promoting the development and production of clean energy, and repairing public buildings to immediately create or save jobs.  The legislation cuts taxes for 95 percent of workers and their families, including tax credits of $400 per worker or $800 per family.  Finally, a third component of the bill provides vital funding for states to prevent state layoffs and ensure the continuation of important health, education and housing services.