The Association of Clinicians for the Underserved (ACU) applauds the introduction of the Restoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act, a bipartisan bill being led by Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Rubio (R-FL), which would extend funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) through fiscal year (FY) 2026. The bill charts funding for the NHSC for the next three years, averting the devastating funding cliff the NHSC faces at the end of FY23 (Sept. 30). ACU is proud to have been the lead endorsing organization and driving advocate for this legislation, having played a critical role in the negotiations process for crafting the bill.
“ACU applauds the leadership and vision of Senators Durbin and Rubio in introducing this bipartisan legislation to support critical funding for the NHSC, a program that enables over 20,000 clinicians to provide primary care and other services to over 21 million people in medically underserved communities across the U.S.,” said Amanda Pears Kelly, Executive Director of ACU. “The Corps has a 50-year track record of success in strengthening the healthcare workforce and advancing health equity, and this bill sets us on the path to preserve funding for its lifechanging work. We urge Congress to unite behind the Restoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act, a key bipartisan effort to continue funding the Corps to bring care within reach for those who need it most.”
Since 1972, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has worked to build healthier communities by placing more than 69,500 healthcare providers to date in medically underserved areas of nearly every U.S. state and territory. More than 158 million people reside in primary care health professional shortage areas (HPSAs), and the NHSC aims to provide care for these populations by offering scholarships and loan repayments to providers who agree to serve in HPSA areas served by health centers, rural health clinics, Indian Health Service sites, and other facilities.
Today, NHSC providers serve more than 21 million people with diverse clinical services—something made possible by a historic $800 million in new funding for the Corps through the American Rescue Plan after concerted advocacy by ACU’s coalition of stakeholders and supporters. But the Corps’ funding is now in jeopardy, with no guaranteed funding beyond Sept. 30. Furthermore, existing funding levels allow for a field strength that is but a fraction of the more than 52,000 providers necessary to fully meet needs in all HPSAs, making not only preserving but strengthening Corps funding critical.
Remember: NHSC Funding Runs Out In
Now is a critical time to support the effort to preserve and extend funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC)! We need your voice to urge Members of Congress to support bipartisan initiatives to address the need for NHSC’s funding. Become an advocate with ACU today, stay up to speed on what’s happening, take action, and ask all your friends and colleagues to join us as well!
Introducing Jordan Marshall, Your ACU Advocacy Contact
Jordan Marshall is leading ACU’s grassroots advocacy to secure long-term funding for the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). Contact Jordan with any questions regarding policy analysis or if ACU can be of assistance with your own organizational or individual advocacy.
