Rural America Health Corps Act

The Rural America Health Corps Act establishes a demonstration program to provide loan repayment for eligible healthcare professionals. This program targets individuals who qualify for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program but are not currently participating, aiming to address healthcare shortages in rural areas. Participants must commit to a five-year period of full-time service in a rural Health Professional Shortage Area. For each year of service, the Secretary of Health and Human Services will pay one-fifth of the principal and interest on eligible loans, with the remainder paid upon completion of the fifth year, up to a maximum of $200,000 per individual . The program incorporates most administrative rules of the existing National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, with the key distinction being the extended service obligation. Importantly, the program and its participants will not influence the designation of Health Professional Shortage Areas between fiscal years 2026 and 2030, ensuring accurate assessment of need. The Secretary is mandated to submit a report within five years evaluating the program's effectiveness and its impact on healthcare access in rural communities. This initiative is authorized to receive $50,000,000 annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support its objectives.