Health Professionals for Diversity Coalition: The Health Professionals for Diversity Coalition is continuing its efforts to maintain and promote affirmative action in health professional education. This coalition is coordinated by the AAMC and is comprised of 51 medical, health and education organizations including the AMA, ACP-ASIM, AAFP, NMA, the Academy. The coalition is continuing to monitor activities at the state level to dismantle affirmative action programs such as the state of Washington’s anti-affirmative initiative that was approved by the voters last year. Additional information can be found on the coalition at: <www.aamc.org/about/progemph/diverse>.

The President’s FY 2000 budget proposed increased funding for health professional training programs designed to increase the diversity of the health care workforce. In particular, the Training for Diversity program, part of the Centers of Excellence and Health Careers Opportunity programs in the Bureau of Health Professions, saw a $16 million increase over FY 1999 funding, to a total recommendation of $109 million. The President commended these programs for their successful records of training and retaining traditionally underrepresented minority students in the health professions. In addition, the FY 2000 CDC Administration’s budget proposal includes $35 million to continue and expand new research/demonstration projects in communities across the country which address six health disparities: infant mortality, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, HIV infections and child/adult immunizations.

Back to Legislative Report Index

Back to APS/SPR Home Page

Last Modified: March 14, 2001