AHA urges HRSA to delay withdrawal of Health Professional Shortage Areas

The AHA yesterday asked the Health Resources and Services Administration to delay by at least one year the effective withdrawal date for Health Professional Shortage Areas designated as "proposed for withdrawal," expressing concerns about the "extremely large numbers" of areas the agency proposes to end given the current workforce and financial challenges faced by providers who serve communities and populations already experiencing shortages of health professionals.

"Losing a HPSA designation, and the access to federal funds it affords, has significant negative consequences for patients and communities," AHA said. "…Further, the proposed withdrawal of such a large number of HPSA designations comes at a time when more support, not less, is critical for providers given current workforce shortages."