The bill would create a demonstration program that pays eligible loans for certain health workers who serve full time for five years in a rural health professional shortage area. Participants must qualify for the existing National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program but not be enrolled in it. Payments would cover one-fifth of eligible loan principal and interest for each year of service, with the remaining balance paid after the fifth year. Total payments to one participant could not exceed $200,000. The bill also requires an evaluation of the program's effects on rural health care access.
Eligible health workers who agree to the five-year rural service requirement could receive payments toward their eligible loans. The bill would apply most rules of the existing National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, with specified exceptions.
The bill authorizes $50 million for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2030. Payments to any one participant could not exceed $200,000.
No publicly available information.
No publicly available information.