HHS Announces $89M in Scholarships, Loan Repayments for Care Providers Working in Rural Areas, Inner Cities
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Feb. 28 announced that the National Health Service Corps this year will provide 900 new and continuing loan repayment awards and 400 new and continuing scholarship awards to health care providers who agree to work in underserved areas. The total funding -- $89.4 million -- is about $19 million more than was awarded last year. To qualify for an award, individuals must agree to work a minimum of two to four years in areas with the "greatest shortage" of health care providers. Loan repayments are available to people currently working in the medical profession, and scholarships are available to those enrolled in an accredited medical school, dental school, nursing program or physician assistant program. About half the providers who receive awards work in community health centers. Thompson said, "We are looking for the best and brightest to work where they can turn people's lives around and provide health care to people not used to getting it." He added, "Many students go into medicine hoping to improve the lives of the poor and the uninsured, but graduate with too much debt to pursue such a calling." In his fiscal year 2003 budget plan, President Bush proposed increasing funding for the program by 32%, from $145.5 million to $192 million. If the increase is passed, an additional 1,800 providers would receive awards to work in underserved areas. Elizabeth Duke, acting administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, which manages the program, said, "The NHSC is one of the best tools the federal government has to extend quality health care to Americans who need it most" (HHS release, 2/28).
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