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 doctors 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,” Secretary 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 National Health Service Corps makes it possible for hundreds of young doctors and clinicians to answer that call.”

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 physicians, nurses 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.

“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 an even bigger increase in the Corps’ budget next year.”

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 additional resources will result in awards to about 1,800 physicians, dentists and other clinicians who practice in underserved areas. 

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.  Applications are also available by calling 1-800-221-9393.