Rural America Health Corps Act

The Rural America Health Corps Act establishes a demonstration program to repay student loans for healthcare professionals who commit to working in rural health professional shortage areas. Eligible providers (those qualified for but not enrolled in the existing Public Health Service Act loan program) must work full-time for five years in qualifying rural areas to receive loan repayment, capped at $200,000 total. The program, funded at $50 million annually from 2026-2030, requires participants to meet standard loan repayment rules except for the service period, with a report due to Congress after five years evaluating rural healthcare access impacts. It does not affect how health professional shortage areas are designated during the program's initial years.