# Plain Language Summary: Expanding the Health Care Workforce Act

This bill creates a federal grant program to help hospitals partner with high schools to introduce students to health care careers through hands-on work experience. The idea is simple: by letting teenagers work in hospitals while still in school, they'll be more likely to pursue health care jobs or education after graduation, which would help address the ongoing shortage of health care workers across the country.

Here's how it would work in practice. Hospitals that partner with secondary schools can apply for federal grants lasting four to six years. The program requires students to spend increasing amounts of time working in the hospital as they progress through the program—starting with at least 20 hours in their first year, ramping up to at least 100 hours by their fourth year. Beyond just work experience, the program includes classroom instruction in health care topics, college and career planning services, and preparation for licensing or certification exams. Students still earn their regular high school diploma while participating.

The bill prioritizes funding for hospitals serving medically underserved areas and communities, as well as rural hospitals and other facilities that struggle to attract resources. At least 20 grants would be awarded across the country, with at least two going to each of the ten federal regions. Additionally, at least 25 percent of grants must go toward expanding programs that already exist. Each participating hospital would have to report annually on student enrollment, graduation rates, attendance, and how many students go on to health care jobs or health-related college programs.

The program is designed as a test run, with the authority to award grants ending six years after the program launches. Congress would then receive a comprehensive report evaluating whether the program successfully increased the health care workforce and improved student outcomes compared to other schools in the same counties. If successful, this model could be expanded or made permanent through future legislation.