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
Senate considering its own resolution to fund government through Dec. 11; potential vote this week
Update: The Senate passed the continuing resolution Aug. 8 by a vote of 90-6 and one present vote. The Senate is expected to vote this week on its own…
Headline
AHA voices support for bill addressing nursing workforce shortages 
The AHA July 27 expressed support for the National Nursing Workforce Center Act of 2025 (S. 1482), legislation that would establish state-based nursing…
Headline
House passes CR to fund government through Dec. 4 and budget resolution for next reconciliation bill 
The House July 21 passed a continuing resolution that would fund the government through Dec. 4 by a 220-205 vote. The CR does not include extensions of key…
Headline
AHA comments on price transparency, other healthcare bills considered during Senate HELP Committee markup 
The AHA provided comments July 21 to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on price transparency, nursing workforce and rural…
Headline
House committee passes budget resolution, setting up new reconciliation bill 
The House Budget Committee July 16 passed a budget resolution by a 20-14 vote along party lines during a markup, paving the way for a new reconciliation bill…
Headline
AHA Town Hall provides Washington update
AHA Board Chair Marc Boom, M.D., took the stage July 13 to introduce AHA award winners and a town hall discussion on navigating the 2026 political…