Rural America Health Corps Act

Bill: 116-s-2406
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2019-07-31
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight

Health care coverage and access

Health personnel

Health programs administration and funding

Medical education

Rural conditions and development

Student aid and college costs
Latest action: action_date: 2019-07-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-07-31
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Rural America Health Corps Act</b><br> <br> This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish a demonstration project under the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program to increase the number of health care providers in rural areas. Specifically, eligible participants who agree to serve for 5 years in such a rural area may receive up to $25,000 in loan repayments for each year of service.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2406 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 31, 2019 Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Durbin , Mr. Cramer , Mr. Jones , and Ms. Murkowski ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish the National Health Service Corps Rural Provider Loan Repayment Program, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Rural America Health Corps Act . 2. National Health Service Corps Rural Provider Loan Repayment Program Subpart III of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 338O. National Health Service Corps Rural Provider Loan Repayment Program (a) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary shall establish a demonstration project to provide for the participation in the Loan Repayment Program described in section 338B of individuals who are eligible for such program, subject to subsection (b), and who agree to complete their service obligation in a health professional shortage area that is a rural area. (2) Clarification of additional rural area positions The individuals receiving assistance under this subsection shall be in addition to any individuals who are otherwise participating in the Loan Repayment Program described in section 338B and who agree to complete their service obligation in a health professional shortage area that is a rural area. (b) Procedure (1) Eligibility To be eligible to receive assistance under subsection (a), with respect to the program described in section 338B, an individual shall— (A) comply with all rules and requirements described in such section, except section 338B(f)(1)(B)(iv) and as provided in paragraph (2); and (B) agree to serve for a time period equal to 5 years, or such longer period as the individual may agree to, in a health professional shortage area that is a rural area. (2) Requirements (A) In general Except as otherwise provided in this section, all provisions in this subpart and subpart II pertaining to the administration of, and other requirements with respect to, the Loan Repayment Program described in section 338B shall apply to the demonstration project established under this section. (B) Payments for years served Consistent with subparagraph (A) and subsections (f) and (g) of section 338B, the Secretary shall pay on behalf of an individual receiving assistance under subsection (a) loans in accordance with such subsection (g) for each year of obligated service the individual contracts to serve under paragraph (1)(B). (c) Designations The demonstration project described in subsection (a), and any providers who are selected to participate in such project, shall not be considered by the Secretary in the designation of health professional shortage areas under section 332 during fiscal years 2020 through 2024. (d) Report Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the relevant committees of Congress that evaluates the participation of individuals in the demonstration project under subsection (a), the impact of such participation on rural areas, and the benefit and feasibility of permanently allowing such placements in the Loan Repayment Program. (e) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. (f) Definition of rural area For purposes of this section, the term rural area has the meaning given such term in section 330J(e). .