Funding Could Be Cut for Fresno State Program
A California State University-Fresno program that helps minority and low-income students pursue health care careers might be eliminated if Congress does not approve funding, the Fresno Bee reports.
The House Appropriations Committee in July approved a budget for the labor, HHS and education departments that includes no funding for the program. A version of the budget passed by a Senate subcommittee would allocate $4 million for the program, according to Erica Froyd, a legislative analyst with the Association of American Medical Colleges.
Funding for the Health Careers Opportunity Program, which operates nationwide, was $35.7 million in the last fiscal year.
The Fresno program was receiving $280,000 annually in federal funding, which it shared with the University of California-San Francisco Latino Center for Medical Education and Research. The UC center provides outreach programs for local middle and high school students. The program serves more than 200 students.
Fresno State officials said they would contribute $60,000 to maintain the program during the upcoming academic year, but it is unknown whether future funding will be provided, program director Lilia De La Cerda said.
According to De La Cerda, the funding cut would negatively affect the Fresno area, which has a shortage of health professionals (Lacayo, Fresno Bee, 7/31).