Peoria Standard

Darin LaHood, a representative for Illinois' 16th Congressional District, announced the introduction of the Rebuild America Health Care Schools Act. "The act ensures nurses and health professionals receive a high-quality education and increases access to care for rural and underserved areas," he said in a Facebook post on March 3.

"I was proud to be joined by Congresswoman Angie Craig and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach in reintroducing the Rebuild America Health Care Schools Act," said LaHood, U.S. Representative, according to Facebook. "This bill ensures nurses and health professionals receive a high-quality education and increases access to care for rural and underserved areas of Illinois' 16th District."

According to LaHood's office, the legislation is designed to support hospital-based nursing schools and allied health education programs. Chronic issues have hindered the training of health professionals, and this bill seeks to assist students by updating regulations that adversely affect training. One such regulation restricts nurses and allied health professionals educated at hospital-based programs from providing clinical training outside their program’s host hospital.

Screenshot of U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood's March 3 Facebook post | U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood Facebook page

The act aims to enable health systems and hospital-based schools to offer clinical training and support. It would prevent the Secretary of Health and Human Services from recouping or reducing payments made to hospitals for costs related to nursing or allied education programs included in the Medicare cost report. The House resolution with the same name mandates that any amount recouped or reduced must be refunded by the HHS Secretary.

The American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) has expressed its support for this bill. Tom Kraus, Vice President of Government Relations for ASHP, said, "The Rebuild America’s Health Care Schools Act of 2025 protects patients’ access to residency-trained pharmacists. The Act requires CMS to clarify the requirements hospitals must meet when providing advanced clinical training for pharmacists." Kraus added that ASHP strongly supports the act as it will bolster the nation's pharmacy workforce to meet patient needs.

Congressman LaHood has represented Illinois since 2015, initially serving in the 18th Congressional District until 2023; following redistricting, he now represents the 16th District. His political career includes four years in the state senate from 2011-2015. He also served as a state and federal prosecutor for over nine years, including work with the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada.

LaHood holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loras College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois-Chicago John Marshall Law School. He resides in Peoria with his wife, according to his official biography.