Federal health officials have increased the loan repayment amounts for primary care providers who commit to practicing in areas with provider shortages.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will offer providers $75,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a two-year commitment with the National Health Care Service Corps, up from $50,000. Providers who are fluent in Spanish and commit to practicing in a high-need area serving patients with limited English proficiency can get up to an additional $5,000.
“At the Health Resources and Services Administration, we are committed to taking action to help ensure that everyone has access to primary health care,” HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson said in a press release. “We know the importance of having a culturally competent and consistent source of primary care for improving health and wellness, managing chronic diseases and prescriptions, and coordinating across care teams.”
Last year, 56 primary care pediatricians received loan repayments through the program. Separately, 122 clinicians, including pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists, were awarded $100,000 in loan repayments through the Pediatric Subspecialty Loan Repayment Program. The AAP advocated for funding of that program for more than a decade.
To apply for the loan repayment program, visit https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loan-repayment/nhsc-loan-repayment-program. The deadline is May 9.
