Rural America Health Corps Act

This bill would create a federal demonstration program, run by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to pay off student loans for health providers who qualify for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program but are not taking part in it. In exchange, providers would agree to work full-time for 5 years in a rural area with a shortage of health professionals. The program would pay one-fifth of a provider's loans for each year served, with the rest paid after the fifth year, up to $200,000 per person. A provider who leaves early would not be considered in breach of the agreement if they served in good faith the years they were paid for. The bill authorizes $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and requires a report on the program within 5 years.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Marsha Blackburn Republican sponsor
• 4 cosponsors