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The State Loan Repayment Program
increases the availability of primary care clinicians practicing
in Health Professional Shortage Areas. Grants are made to States
to operate their own loan repayment programs. Primary care health
professionals who are providing full-time clinical services in public
or non-profit facilities located in a federally designated Health
Professional Shortage Area are eligible to apply for loan repayment.
Other eligibility requirements and benefits vary from State to State.
For specific information, please contact the State Program.
History
The State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP) was created in 1987 in response
to Section 338I of the Public Health Service Act, which authorizes
the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to make
grants to States to assist in the recruitment and retention of primary
health care clinicians in federally designated health professional
shortage areas (HPSAs).
The Federal
Government provides a dollar for dollar match to States to assist
in the repayment of qualifying educational loans for primary health
care clinicians who agree to practice in a public or nonprofit entity
located in a federally designated HPSA.
Accomplishments
Since its inception
in 1987, 38 states have participated in the program. Currently there
are 38 State grantees. Five conferences were convened to serve as
a forum where SLRP grantees would voice their administrative, operational,
as well as legislative concerns.
A video highlighting the SLRP was
developed and distributed to each State contact and other organizations
interested in learning more about SLRP.
An assessment of the SLRP was completed
in order to determine its effectiveness and need for the program
in increasing access to primary health care services for the underserved.
Program Collaboration
The SLRP represents a collaboration
of Federal, State and community efforts. The Federal government
provides up to 50 percent of the funds to make loan repayment awards
to primary health care clinicians. The remaining 50 percent of the
funding comes from State and / or community resources. In addition,
States provide all funds necessary to administer the program.
Through conferences, committees, and
workgroups, State partners are involved in developing strategies
to enhance the program in order to meet the changing needs of the
health care environment in their States. Federal field staff is
instrumental in appraising communities and providers of the availability
of the program as well as providing a regional perspective in SLRP
activities.
Funding
FY 2004 $6.8 million
FY 2003 $6.8 million
FY 2002 $7.2 million
Future Challenges
The SLRP has become a vital component in addressing the health care
needs of underserved communities. Limited Federal funds cannot meet
the increased demand for community-responsive, culturally competent
primary health care clinicians to serve these populations. Only
through State and community linkages can we hope to address issues
of primary health care shortage and mal-distribution be addressed.
The future of the SLRP will depend on the involvement of Federal,
State, and program support, and promoting positive experiences for
both clinicians and communities. BHPr will continue to work with
the States through workgroups, communities, and conferences to address
these challenges.
Contact: Mildred Brooks-McDow,
MSW, LCSW, mbrooksmcdow@hrsa.gov,
301-443-6889 |
