Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced
that the National Health Service Corps will offer a record $89.4 million in
scholarship and loan repayments to nurses and other health professions who serve
in rural and inner-city areas that lack adequate access to care.
"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," Thompson said. "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."
The increased resources—almost $19 million more than last year—will
support 900 new and continuing loan repayment awards and 400 new and continuing
scholarship awards. Awardees must agree to provide health care services for a
minimum of two to four years in areas of the country with the greatest shortage
of medical professionals. Applications must be postmarked by March 29.
Administered by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the
National Health Service Corps represents a key part of HHS' strategy to expand
access to health-care services to those most in need—especially those in rural
and inner-city communities. Nearly half of the Corps' clinician practice in HHS-supported
community health centers, which provide health care to people regardless of
their ability to pay and target services in areas where people face financial
and social barriers to accessing high-quality care.
The loan repayment program is open to a long list of medical professionals,
among them nurses, physicians and dentists. The scholarship program is open to
students enrolled or accepted for enrollment in accredited medical schools,
family nurse practitioner programs, certified nurse-midwifery programs,
physician assistant programs and dental schools.
Last year, the National Health Service Corps awarded a total of $70.8
million, including 677 new and continuing loan repayment awards and 363 new and
continuing scholarships. Of the loan repayment award recipients, 60 percent work
as primary health care providers, 21 percent work in behavioral health and 19
percent work in oral care. More than half the scholarship recipients were
students studying to be physicians.
For fiscal year 2003, President Bush has proposed an additional 32 percent
increase in the budget for the National Health Service Corps for a total of $192
million, up from $145.5 million this year.
"The NHSC is one of the best tools the federal government has to extend
quality health care to Americans who need it most," HRSA Acting
Administrator Elizabeth M. Duke said. "President Bush so values their work
that he has asked for even bigger increase in the Corps' budget next year."
The President's budget also requests $1.5 billion for community-based health
centers, a $114 million increase that would continue the Bush administration's
long-term strategy to add 1,200 new and expanded health center sites over five
years and ultimately double the number of patients treated at them. About half
the patients treated at health centers have no insurance coverage, and many
others have inadequate coverage.
More information on the Corps and the award application process can be found
at the National Health Service Corps Web site at www.http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/nhsc/.
Applications are also available by calling (800) 221-9393.
Source: Health and Human Services (HHS) (3/22/02)