Health Career Advancement and Remuneration Exclusion for Training Act; Health CARE Training Act
Summary
The "Health Career Advancement and Remuneration Exclusion for Training Act," or the "Health CARE Training Act," aims to improve training requirements for health profession opportunity grant programs. It also seeks to exclude assistance provided by these programs from federal income tax. The bill amends Section 2008(a)(2) of the Social Security Act to specify minimum training hours for individuals pursuing recognized post-secondary credentials.
Additionally, it amends Section 2008(a)(2)(A)(ii) to ensure that cash stipends or emergency assistance received under these programs are not considered income for tax purposes. This provision also relieves entities from submitting information returns for such payments.
The changes are set to take effect on October 1, 2025, impacting both training requirements and the tax treatment of assistance provided through health profession opportunity grants.
Expected Effects
This bill will likely increase the quality and standardization of training for health professionals by setting minimum training hour requirements. It will also reduce the financial burden on eligible individuals participating in these programs by excluding stipends and emergency assistance from taxable income. This could lead to increased participation and better outcomes for individuals seeking careers in healthcare.
Potential Benefits
- Enhanced training standards for healthcare professionals.
- Reduced financial burden on trainees through tax exclusion of stipends.
- Increased participation in health profession opportunity grant programs.
- Improved access to healthcare careers for eligible individuals.
- Streamlined administrative processes for entities providing assistance.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative complexity in tracking training hours.
- Possible challenges in determining necessary skill levels in the absence of state certification requirements.
- Risk of unintended consequences related to the definition and implementation of "emergency assistance".
- Could create disparities if some states have more rigorous certification processes than others.
- The bill's effectiveness depends on the proper implementation and oversight by the Secretary.
Constitutional Alignment
This bill appears to align with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the general welfare by improving healthcare training and reducing financial barriers for individuals pursuing healthcare careers. Congress has the power to tax and spend for the general welfare, and this bill falls under that purview. The bill does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).