Wyden, Ruiz Introduce Senate Resolution to Honor Community Health Workers
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, MD, D-Calif., today introduced a resolution to recognize the contributions of community health workers and support their work to improve health outcomes in underserved and high-need communities by establishing the week of August 25 to August 29, 2025, as “National Community Health Worker Awareness Week.”
“Community health workers put in long, tireless hours to make sure people and families living in rural and underserved communities receive quality health care,” Wyden said. “These unsung heroes deserve all the recognition in the world for the work they do to keep America healthy.”
“Community health workers play a crucial role in our health care system, connecting individuals with essential services and support right in their neighborhoods. Their commitment to addressing local health needs is fundamental to building stronger, healthier communities,” Ruiz said. “That is why we introduced a resolution to commemorate National Community Health Worker Awareness Week to be celebrated from August 25-29, 2025.”
Wyden has consistently advocated in the Senate for legislation that supports and expands opportunities for health workers. In December 2024, Wyden introduced a bill that would create apprenticeship programs to address the labor shortage of critical health care workers. In August 2024, he championed legislation to tackle health care worker shortages, especially in rural and underserved communities. In September 2024, he brought forward legislation that would boost funding to labor and delivery units in rural and underserved communities so that patients everywhere could receive quality maternity care from trained professionals.
“In PIH’s experience across the U.S. and around the world, community health workers are the backbone of effective health systems. Now more than ever, CHWs are vital in helping people—especially those in rural and historically underserved areas—access the care, support, and services they deserve. PIH is proud to support National Community Health Worker Awareness Week and stands in solidarity with the National Association of Community Health Workers. We applaud the recognition of this critical workforce by the resolution’s cosponsors and sponsors, Representative Raul Ruiz and Senator Ron Wyden. We honor the tireless leadership and service of CHWs in protecting and promoting the health of our communities,” said Katie Bollbach, Executive Director at Partners In Health United States (PIH-US).
“Community Health Workers (CHWs) across the nation continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities and supporting the most vulnerable members of their communities. Their resilience, often in the face of limited resources and uncertain funding—highlights the essential role they play in advancing equity, building trust, and expanding access within our public health system. Honoring their impact is not only timely, but also a bold affirmation of our shared values and collective vision for a healthier, more accessible healthcare system," said Katherine Martinez, Interim Executive Director at the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW).
In addition to Wyden, the resolution is led by Representative Raul Ruiz MD, D-Calif. The resolution is cosponsored by Senators Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., Chris Coons, D-Conn., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Maggie Hirono, D-Hawai’i, Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif., alongside Representatives Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., Don Davis, D-N.C., Mark Takano, D-Calif., Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., and Sarah McBride, D-Del.
Full text of the resolution is here.
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