More Than $1.7 Million for Maine’s Health Care Workforce Advanced by Senator Collins in Funding Bill

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she advanced $1,718,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for health care workforce training in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.  The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee yesterday, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.

“Maine and states across the country continue to face a shortage of trained health care workers and are struggling to meet the growing demand for medical treatments and services,” said Senator Collins.  “This funding would support important programs throughout Maine that are dedicated to filling these gaps in our nation’s health care workforce.  As the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to advocate for this funding as the appropriations process moves forward.”

This funding advanced through the Committee’s markup of the FY 2025 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.     

Funding advanced by Senator Collins is as follows:        

Palliative and Hospice Care Nurse Practitioner Training Program  

Recipient: Androscoggin Home Healthcare & Hospice  

Project Location: Lewiston, ME   

Amount Requested: $192,000  

Project Purpose: To support palliative and hospice care nurse practitioner training.  

Maine Statewide CNA Training Program  

Recipient: Hanley Center for Health Leadership and Education DBA Maine Medical Education Trust   

Project Location: Statewide    

Amount Requested: $1,000,000  

Project Purpose: To support certified nursing assistant training for long-term care.  

Growing Maine’s Dental Workforce  

Recipient: Children’s Oral Health Network of Maine   

Project Location: Yarmouth, ME  

Amount Requested: $526,000    

Project Purpose: To purchase equipment to train independent practice dental hygienists.  

In 2021, Congress reinstituted Congressionally Directed Spending.  Following this decision, Senator Collins has secured more than $1 billion for hundreds of Maine projects for FY 2022, FY 2023, and FY 2024.  As the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee, Senator Collins is committed to championing targeted investments that will benefit Maine communities.  

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