U.S. Rep. John Joyce (R-PA) on July 23 sponsored bipartisan legislation that would incentivize specialty medicine physicians to serve in America’s rural areas.
“Rural communities throughout the country are facing a rising physician shortage, creating barriers to care for patients with already limited options,” Rep. Joyce said. “By creating a student loan repayment program for specialty physicians serving in rural areas, we can incentivize physicians and bridge the gap caused by the physician shortage.”
Specifically, the Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care (SPARC) Act, H.R. 4681, which is cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC), would amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a loan repayment program to encourage specialty medicine physicians to serve in rural communities experiencing a shortage of specialty medicine physicians, according to the Congressional Record bill summary.
“Physician shortages in rural communities prevent millions of Americans from accessing life-saving care,” said Rep. Ross. “Our SPARC Act will bring more physicians to rural areas, and help them pay off their student loans at the same time. It’s a win for doctors and their patients, and I’m proud to work with Rep. Joyce to ensure rural Americans — especially residents of our rural communities here in North Carolina — can get the care they need from specialty physicians to live healthy lives.”
The American Urological Association Public Policy Council endorsed H.R. 4681, which is under consideration by the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.