--New Therapies: HHS has established a therapeutic discovery project program to award certifications for qualified investments, which will be eligible for tax credits. The two-year program has a cap of $1 billion. The program will encourage investment in new therapies to treat areas of unmet medical need; address acute diseases and conditions; reduce long-term health care costs in the U.S.; or to significantly advance the goal of curing cancer. (See DM 12784).

--Native American Health: The Indian Health Care Improvement Act is reauthorized. A tax break is also available in the form of exclusion from taxable income the gross income value of qualified Indian tribal health benefits.


Health Care Workforce Impact

--National Health Care Workforce Commission: This independent commission will evaluate education and training of health care workers. The Commission will distribute information on promising retention practices for health care professionals, and information on significant policies and practices affecting recruitment, education, training and retention. Specific topics for the Commission's review involve understanding the demographics and distribution of the current health care workforce and projected demands for the next 10 and 25 year periods. A particular focus will be information on students, faculty, infrastructure and education/training demands through the next 10-and 25-year periods. The Commission will also review education loan and grant programs, and any implications of new and existing federal policies that could affect the health care workforce.

--Primary Care: HHS can make grants to or contract with various facilities (including accredited public or nonprofit private hospitals or medical schools) in order to develop or operate accredited professional training programs in primary care medicine. The grants may also provide need-based financial assistance for students, residents, practicing physicians, or other medical personnel planning to specialize in primary care.

--Geriatric Medicine Training: HHS can award grants or contracts to entities that operate a geriatric education center, to use funds for short-term intensive courses focusing on geriatrics, chronic care management, and long-term care.

--Tax Relief for Health Professionals: This tax benefit excludes from taxable income payments made under any state repayment or loan forgiveness program intended to provide for health services in underserved areas. This applies to amounts received in taxable years beginning in 2009.

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