Introduces bill to attract new providers, train specialists
Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) introduced a bill to bring more health care providers and services to Iowa. The Access to Frontline Health Care Act creates a new loan repayment program to give health care providers incentives to practice in areas such as Iowa where there is a shortage of specialty health care providers.
"I think every Iowan should have access to the full range of comprehensive health care services they need right here in our own state," Braley said. "Unfortunately, these services are not always available right now because of the shortage of providers in Iowa. This bill will give providers more incentives than ever to practice in underserved places and will give Iowans access to the quality, affordable health care they deserve."
Congressman Braley previously introduced a version of this bill in 2009. It became part of the House version of the health care reform bill, but was not in the Senate version and was not included in the final bill signed into law. Under the loan repayment program created by the Access to Frontline Health Care Act health care providers would commit to practice in a geographic area with a shortage of specialty health care professionals for at least two years in exchange for assistance in repaying student loans.
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