A bill to include certain PTs in the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program has been introduced by Sen Jon Tester (D-Mont) and cosponsored by Sens Roger Wicker (R-Miss), Benjamin Cardin (D-Md), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
PTs who practice in areas where there are shortages of health care providers could become eligible for relief from student loan debt under the Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act (S 1057). The NHSC’s loan repayment program now includes primary care physicians, dentists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and mental behavioral health professionals practicing in health-shortage areas.
The House introduced its version of the bill in February. The House and Senate now must agree and vote upon a version of the bill before sending it to the president.
[Source: APTA]
