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

Chairperson's File
Chair File: Celebrating the ‘Power of Rural’ and Keeping Rural Hospitals Strong
Every November, we celebrate National Rural Health Day to raise awareness of the challenges facing rural hospitals and health systems and help highlight the…
Headline
AHA issues statement on the 2024 election
"The AHA and America’s hospitals and health systems congratulate President-elect Trump and look forward to working with him and his incoming Administration to…
Headline
Senate report scrutinizes Medicare Advantage prior authorization denials for post-acute care services 
A report released Oct. 17 by the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s investigative subcommittee scrutinizes some of the nation's largest Medicare Advantage…
Headline
House Energy and Commerce Committee advances two-year telehealth extension, extends hospital-at-home program to 2029 
The House Energy and Commerce Committee Sept. 18 advanced legislation on expiring telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities. The AHA supported the passage…
Headline
Senators introduce the SEPSIS Act
Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Bob Casey, D-Pa., Sept. 11 introduced the SEPSIS Act, legislation which would task the Centers for…
Headline
House Education and Workforce Committee holds hearing on contracting provisions, telehealth legislation
The House Education and Workforce Committee advanced several bills Sept. 11, including legislation that would empower commercial insurance companies at the…