More than $13.7 Million for Maine’s Health Care Workforce Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $13,768,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for health care workforce training in the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill. The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“In the midst of a growing demand for medical treatments and services, Maine and states across the country continue to face a shortage of trained health care workers,” said Senator Collins. “This funding would support important programs throughout Maine that are dedicated to filling the gaps in our nation’s health care workforce. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”
Funding advanced by Senator Collins for health care workforce training programs in the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill is as follows:
CMCC Health Care Training Expansion
Recipient: Central Maine Community College (CMCC)
Project Location: Auburn, ME
Amount Requested: $3,325,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to expand CMCC’s health care training programs.
KVCC Enhanced Radiology Simulation Lab
Recipient: Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC)
Project Location: Fairfield, ME
Amount Requested: $513,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to train health care workers.
SMCC Health Care Careers Simulation Center
Recipient: Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)
Project Location: South Portland, ME
Amount Requested: $4,100,000
Project Purpose: For facilities and equipment to support health care workforce training.
UMaine Augusta Nursing Workforce Development Program
Recipient: University of Maine System
Project Location: Augusta, ME
Amount Requested: $4,500,000
Project Purpose: To construct and equip a Center for Nursing Workforce Development and Cybersecurity.
Northern Light Acadia Hospital Rural Dementia Care Program
Recipient: Acadia Hospital Corp d/b/a Northern Light Acadia Hospital
Project Location: Bangor, ME
Amount Requested: $1,330,000
Project Purpose: To create a rural training program to care for patients with dementia in outpatient and hospital-based settings
This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY24 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill — an important step that now allows the bill to be considered by the full Senate. Committee consideration of legislation is a key part of regular order, which helps our government function efficiently and deliver results for the people of Maine and America.
In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending. Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $500 million for hundreds of Maine projects for FY2022 and FY2023. As the Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.
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