Federal List Updates Doctor Shortage Hotspots
Published Date: 7/1/2026
Notice
Summary
The government just updated the official list of places and groups that don’t have enough doctors, dentists, or mental health pros as of April 30, 2026. Some areas lost their shortage status after reviews, while others get more time to fix their numbers before a final decision by July 1, 2027. This helps make sure resources and money go where they’re needed most to improve healthcare access.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Some HPSAs Will Be Withdrawn
The FRN notifies that HPSAs placed in a proposed-for-withdrawal status because of state primary care office (PCO) actions between October 16, 2024, and September 21, 2025, will be withdrawn. Losing HPSA designation can change eligibility for programs tied to HPSAs (for example, National Health Service Corps assignments or certain program priorities tied to designation).
Extra Time for Some Failing HPSAs
HPSAs that did not pass the National Shortage Designation Update conducted in September 2025 will be kept in a proposed-for-withdrawal status, and state PCOs are allowed additional time to review and update those designations. HRSA intends to address those HPSAs with a Federal Register notice on or before July 1, 2027.
Automatic HPSA Status for Tribes and Certain Clinics
All Indian tribes that meet the Indian Health Care Improvement Act definition (25 U.S.C. 1603) are automatically designated as population groups with primary medical care and dental HPSAs. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), FQHC Look-Alikes, and tribal and urban Indian clinics operating under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Act or the Indian Health Care Improvement Act are eligible for automatic facility HPSA designation under the Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002 and section 330 of the PHS Act.
Designation Gives Access to Federal Support
The notice reiterates that HPSA designation offers access to potential federal assistance: public or private nonprofit entities in HPSAs are eligible to apply for National Health Service Corps personnel assignment, clinical training sites in HPSAs may get priority for certain HRSA residency training grants, and some qualified providers in geographic HPSAs may be eligible for increased Medicare reimbursement. These benefits flow to entities and communities with HPSA designations.
Updated HPSA Lists Posted Online
HRSA published the complete lists of all primary medical care, mental health, and dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) showing designated geographic areas, population groups, and facilities as of April 30, 2026. You can view the full lists on HRSA's Data Warehouse shortage area web page at https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas/frn.
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