H.R. 4681: Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act

This bill, titled the Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act, aims to address the shortage of specialty medicine physicians in rural areas across the United States. It proposes a loan repayment program designed to encourage specialty physicians to work in these underserved regions by offering financial assistance that alleviates their education-related debt.

Key Components of the Bill

Loan Repayment Program

The bill establishes a program under which:

• The Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), will enter agreements with specialty medicine physicians.
• In return for committing to practice in rural communities experiencing a shortage of specialty physicians, the bill offers repayment of certain eligible loans related to their medical education.

Eligible Participants

Eligibility for loan repayment is extended to:

• Specialty medicine physicians who will agree to a specified period of obligated service in a rural community.
• Non-physician specialty health care providers, although they will face certain restrictions related to federal loan forgiveness programs.

Obligated Service Requirements

Specialty medicine physicians and non-physician providers must commit to:

• A full-time service of at least 6 years in a rural area with a shortage of specialty care providers.
• A requirement that no more than one year can pass between any two years of covered employment.

Loan Repayment Details

For each year of service, participants will receive:

• One-sixth of the principal and interest of their qualifying loans paid for each year of obligated service.
• The remaining balance will be covered upon completing the final year of service.

The total repayment amount for any individual cannot exceed $250,000.

Eligible Loans

Loans eligible for repayment include:

• Any educational loans specifically for specialty medicine.
• Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and other federal student loans as defined in applicable legislation.

Reporting and Oversight

The bill requires the Secretary to report to Congress:

• On the locations where participating specialty physicians and health care providers practice.
• On the impact of the program on the availability of specialty medical services in rural communities.

Data Updates

The HRSA Administrator is tasked with maintaining current public data regarding the supply of specialty medicine practitioners in the United States.

Funding and Appropriations

The bill authorizes necessary appropriations for implementation between fiscal years 2025 and 2034.

Relevant Companies

None found