H.R. 5377: Rural Health Training Opportunities Act

This bill, known as the Rural Health Training Opportunities Act, aims to enhance the provision of health profession opportunity grants as defined in the Social Security Act. It introduces two main components focused on supporting healthcare in rural areas.

Preference for Rural Areas

The bill requires that when evaluating applications for grants, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must prioritize those that demonstrate a project specifically aimed at serving a rural community. To qualify for this preference, projects must fulfill at least one of the following criteria:

• The project must take place in the community where the prospective participants live.
• The project must be conducted within that community.
• The project must involve a partnership with an employer in that community who is committed to hiring individuals who complete the program successfully.

Transportation Assistance Plan

In addition to focusing on rural projects, any grant awarded under this act must include a transportation assistance plan. This plan should provide participants with access to transportation options and include the following:

• Referral to and help with getting into a subsidized transportation program.
• If no subsidized program is readily available, then direct payments to help cover transportation costs will be provided. This could apply to public transit services or reimbursement for gasoline if public transport is not a viable option.

Reporting Requirements

The Secretary is required to submit reports to the relevant congressional committees at least once per Congress. These reports must include:

• An overview of the number of applications submitted and the number that were approved.
• A specific count of applications aimed at rural areas.
• An evaluation of how effective the projects have been in solving workforce shortages or filling in-demand health professions jobs in these rural communities.

Effective Date

The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on October 1, 2025.

Relevant Companies

• None found