SPARC Act
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Overview
The SPARC Act aims to address shortages of specialty medicine physicians and non-physician specialty health care providers in rural communities by creating a loan repayment program. The program would provide payments to physicians and other health professionals who commit to working in these underserved areas for a specified period. Eligible loans include federal student loans and Perkins loans, and the total repayment amount per provider cannot exceed $250,000.
Key provisions
- Creates a loan repayment program for specialty medicine physicians and non-physician specialty health care providers.
- Eligible loans include federal student loans and Perkins loans.
- Participants must commit to 6 years of full-time service in a rural community experiencing a shortage.
- Maximum repayment amount per provider is $250,000.
- The program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
- A liquidated damages formula may be established for breaches of service agreements.
- No more than 15% of program funds can be allocated to non-physician specialty health care providers.
- Requires reports to Congress on program impact and provider locations.
Who is affected
- Specialty medicine physicians
- Non-physician specialty health care providers
- Rural communities
- Healthcare providers
- Federal loan borrowers
Bill text
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Sponsors
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6 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
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