The AAMC joined 64 other organizations in a July 12 letter urging leaders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee leadership to extend mandatory funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Without congressional action, funding and authorization for the NHSC is set to expire at the end of the fiscal year (FY) on Sept. 30.
Specifically, the letter expressed support for the bipartisan Restoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act (S. 862), formerly titled Strengthening America’s Health Care Readiness Act [refer to Washington Highlights, Jan. 28, 2021]. The bill, sponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), would extend and increase mandatory funding for the NHSC through FY 2026. In addition, the legislation would establish an NHSC Emergency Service demonstration project, which would allow clinicians who serve in emergency capacities through the National Disaster Medical System to be eligible for NHSC loan repayment.