WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) joined a bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the Rural America Health Corps Act – legislation led by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) – to incentivize more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities.

“The need for additional health care professionals across the care spectrum is something I hear frequently from my West Virginia patients and providers,” Senator Capito said. “I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn in introducing the Rural America Health Corps Act, which aims to address this issue in a way that meets the specific needs of our rural communities.”

In addition to Senators Capito, Blackburn, and Durbin, the Rural America Health Corps Act is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). 

Specifically, the Rural America Health Corps Act:

  • Creates a new loan repayment program titled “NHSC Rural Provider Loan Repayment Program.”
  • Includes a range of providers such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
  • Ensures practitioners would be eligible for loan repayment on a sliding scale, based on the severity of the shortage in that area.
  • Waives any associated income tax liability for the loan repayment program.

Full text of the legislation is available here.

 

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