Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released a total $354,239 to help expand health care workforce training programs in the state.  The funding was made possible through grant programs established under new health insurance law that took effect six months ago.

The University of New Mexico was awarded a $204,239 grant to increase student enrollment in primary care physician assistant programs and graduates planning to practice primary care specialties.  Upon completion of the program, individuals will be qualified to provide primary care medical services with the supervision of a physician.

The New Mexico Department of Labor will receive a $150,000 grant to help the state assess its current health workforce and examine current resources, policies and practices, and identify ways to remove barriers at state and local levels.

"New Mexico has a serious doctor shortage that makes health care access a problem for many residents.  Yet, health care professions continue to be one of our country's fastest growing job markets.  The new health reform law makes significant investments in expanding our healthcare workforce -- a move that will improve New Mexicans' health while also re-vitalizing our economy," Bingaman said.