Bill > HR2130

This bill, the Rural America Health Corps Act, establishes a demonstration program to provide payments on eligible loans for individuals who are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, but are not currently participating in it. The key provisions of the bill include: 1) eligible individuals must agree to a 5-year period of full-time employment in a rural health professional shortage area; 2) the Secretary of Health and Human Services will pay 1/5 of the principal and interest on each eligible loan for each year of service, and the remainder upon completion of the 5-year service; 3) the total payments to any individual cannot exceed $200,000; and 4) the demonstration program will not be considered in the designation of health professional shortage areas during fiscal years 2022-2026. The bill also requires the Secretary to submit a report evaluating the effects of the program on healthcare access in rural areas.