Health care law increases access to primary care through the National Health Service Corps

Health care law increases access to primary care through the National Health Service Corps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2012

Contact: HHS Press Office (202) 690-6343

Health care law increases access to primary care through the National Health Service Corps

Investments help ease cost of professional schooling for clinicians, students

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced that $229.4 million was invested in the National Health Service Corps in 2012 to support more doctors and nurses and increase access to primary care.  These investments included nearly 4,600 loan repayment and scholarship awards to clinicians and students, and grants to 32 states to support state loan repayment programs.
“Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, the National Health Service Corps is providing loans and scholarships to more doctors, nurses, and other health care providers, so more people get the care they need,” said Secretary Sebelius. “National Health Service Corps clinicians are providing care to approximately 10.4 million patients across the country.”
The National Health Service Corps provides financial, professional and educational resources to medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health care providers who bring their skills to areas of the United States with limited access to health care.
With nearly 10,000 providers, the National Health Service Corps has nearly tripled since 2008.  In addition to Corps clinicians currently providing care, nearly 1,000 students, residents, and health providers receive scholarships or participate in the Student to Service Loan Repayment program to prepare to practice.
Today’s announcement was made in conjunction with the celebration of the National Health Service Corps’ annual Corps Community Day.
Established in 1970, the National Health Service Corps, administered by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration, has provided health care to communities across the country by supporting more than 42,000 primary health care practitioners over its 40-year history.
Additional information on today’s announcement is available at:  http://www.hrsa.gov/about/organization/bureaus/bcrs/nhscoverview.html
The Health Resources and Services Administration is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  HRSA is the primary federal agency responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. 
For more information about NHSC programs, please visit http:/www.NHSC.hrsa.gov
For more information about Corps Community Day activities, visit http:/www.NHSC.hrsa.gov/CorpsCommunityDay

###