H.R. 5444 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the House, sent to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, Sep 17, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summarySupports medical laboratory worker training and loans
This bill tries to address a shortage of medical laboratory professionals—the people who run tests on blood and tissue samples in hospitals and clinics. It does two things: first, it lets medical lab professionals join a federal program that offers scholarships and helps pay back student loans if they agree to work in areas that need them. Second, it gives grants to hospitals, schools, and nonprofits to create and run education programs that train people to become medical laboratory professionals.
How it affects you
If you're studying to become a medical laboratory professional or already working in one, you could get help paying for your education or loans through the new federal support. People living in areas with shortages of lab workers might see improved access to medical testing services as more professionals are trained and encouraged to work there.
Read the official summary (Introduced in House, Sep 17, 2025)
Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2025
This bill adds medical laboratory professionals to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and establishes a grant program to fund education programs for medical laboratory professionals.
Specifically, it makes medical laboratory professionals eligible to participate in the NHSC, which provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to health care providers who agree to work in areas with health care provider shortages. The bill also authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to, or enter into contracts with, certain hospitals, schools, and nonprofits to develop and operate accredited education programs that award degrees or certificates to medical laboratory professionals.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionH. R. 5444
A BILL
Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2025
Sponsor: Rep. Deborah K. Ross (D-NC-2) · Introduced Sep 17, 2025 · Health · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Sep 17, 2025: “Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.”