Rural America Health Corps Act

Loan relief for rural health workers

This bill would start a loan repayment program for health workers in rural shortage areas. You would need to qualify for the usual NHSC loan program, not be in it now, and agree to five years of full-time work in a rural area. The program would pay 20% of your eligible loan balance each year, based on what you owed when you start. After year five, it would pay the rest, up to $200,000 total. Most NHSC rules would still apply. The bill would authorize $50 million each year for 2026–2030. If you leave early, the Department of Health and Human Services could charge set damages. Good-faith service for the years already paid would not count as a breach. The program and its providers would not affect shortage-area designations during 2026–2030. The Department would report results within five years of enactment.