The Rural America Health Corps Act, also known as Bill 118 hr 1711, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress with the aim of addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in rural areas. The bill proposes the establishment of a program called the Rural America Health Corps, which would recruit and train healthcare professionals to serve in underserved rural communities.
Under the provisions of the bill, the Rural America Health Corps would provide scholarships and loan repayment assistance to individuals pursuing careers in healthcare fields such as nursing, medicine, and mental health counseling. In exchange for receiving financial assistance, participants in the program would be required to commit to serving in rural areas for a specified period of time.
The bill also includes provisions for expanding telehealth services in rural communities, improving access to healthcare facilities, and increasing funding for rural health programs. Additionally, the bill seeks to address other barriers to healthcare access in rural areas, such as transportation and infrastructure challenges.
Overall, the Rural America Health Corps Act aims to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities by incentivizing healthcare professionals to work in these underserved areas. The bill has garnered bipartisan support in Congress and is currently being considered for passage.