Azita Emami, dean of the Yale School of Nursing; Megan L. Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health; and Jessica Illuzzi, deputy dean for Education of the Yale School of Medicine, write:  The “Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act,” legislation now being considered by Congress, would offer new federal grants to help people afford short-term job training that leads to a credential recognized by employers. Congress should be commended for trying to help Americans develop skills that will lead to productive, rewarding careers. But the House of Representatives, looking to offset the cost of these new grants, has proposed taking away aid from other students, including those studying to be doctors, nurses, physician assistants and public health practitioners — fields already facing an acute workforce shortage that, under this plan, seems sure to get worse.
It doesn’t make sense to help one set of students by denying essential aid to others — especially health workers in short supply.