North Miami-Dade News

This week, Representative María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) joined fourteen of her colleagues in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), urging him to prioritize multi-year funding for teaching health centers across the United States. These centers and the physicians they train are a fundamental part of the healthcare system in Miami and Florida.

Last year, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Lower Costs and More Transparency Act (H.R. 5378), a bipartisan legislation that included reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program (THCGME) through fiscal year 2030. The THCGME program supports training future doctors in community settings, providing greater access to primary care, dental care, and behavioral health services. A multi-year reauthorization would provide adequate resources for future physicians, ensuring these programs continue while helping those with limited financial resources gain access to critical care.

“As you consider potential legislation later this session, we urge you to include a multi-year reauthorization for the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program (THCGME) in any broader legislative package,” wrote the legislators. “Teaching health centers are a vital response to the shortage of primary care physicians as they place doctors in rural and underserved communities where they are most needed.”

The letter is supported by organizations such as the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), American Association of Teaching Health Centers (AATHC), and Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC). It was co-signed by Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Marcus Molinaro (R-NY), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), David Valadao (R-CA), Young Kim (R-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), Brandon Williams (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Erin Houchin(R-IN), Dan Meuser(R-PA) and Michael Guest(R-MS).

“We are grateful for Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar’s dedication to the graduate medical education program at Teaching Health Centers. Her advocacy alongside her colleagues for long-term extension and increased funding reflects their commitment to addressing primary care workforce shortages nationwide. Their support will ensure we can train and retain future providers to improve our nation's well-being,” said Joe Dunn, policy director at NACHC.

“The American Association of Teaching Health Centers is deeply thankful to Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar for her leadership in coordinating such an important expression of congressional support for our program along with her 13 colleagues who also signed this letter to Speaker Johnson. The letter shows that residency programs operated by our members have a significant positive impact on training new providers who typically remain in these communities reducing physician shortages,” said Cristine Serrano, executive director at AATHC.

“The THCGME program not only trains skilled healthcare professionals but also strengthens essential links between education and community health ensuring quality care reaches those most in need. Representative Salazar’s commitment towards increasing funding demonstrates strong dedication towards improving healthcare access," stated Jonathan Chapman, president & CEO at FACHC.

Congresswoman Salazar has been a leader within Congress ensuring that community health centers along with other key institutions within Miami receive adequate funding.

Click here to read full text of letter.