AHA-supported bill targets rural shortage of health care professionals

Mar 25, 2021 - 03:31 PM
maternity-legislation-update

The AHA today voiced support for the Rural America Health Corps Act (S.924), legislation that would establish a Rural America Health Corps modeled on the National Health Service Corps to encourage health care professionals to serve in rural areas. 

The bill provides incentives for clinicians to practice in rural areas and authorizes a Rural Provider Loan Repayment Demonstration Program in which participants who agree to serve full-time for five years in a rural health professional shortage area would be eligible for $200,000 in loan repayments.     

“Health care workforce needs are particularly acute in rural areas,” AHA said in a letter of support for the bill, sponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, and Tina Smith, D-Minn. “Recruitment and retention of health care professionals is an ongoing challenge and expense for rural hospitals. … We thank you for your leadership on behalf of the nation’s health care workforce, and we look forward to working with you to enact this important legislation.”
 

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA supports bill expanding in-network providers within MA plans 
The AHA Sept. 15 expressed support for the Ensuring Access to Essential Providers Act, legislation that would require Medicare Advantage plans to cover…
Headline
House E&C Health Subcommittee advances workforce legislation
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health Sept. 10 advanced the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act (H.R. 3593), AHA-supported…
Headline
House committee approves appropriations bill
The House Appropriations Committee Sept. 9 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education…
Headline
AHA supports bill covering patient costs for naloxone
The AHA Sept. 4 expressed support for the Hospitals As Naloxone Distribution Sites Act (H.R. 5120), legislation that would require Medicare and Medicaid to…
Headline
Senate committee advances appropriations bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee July 31 advanced the fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,…
Chairperson's File
Chair File: The OBBBA and What’s Next for Health Care
Public
The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring big changes to health care. AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack joined me for a Leadership Dialogue…