New Student Loan Legislation Introduced

From July Student E-News:

Congressional legislation to establish a Frontline Providers Loan Repayment Program that includes physical therapists has been introduced by Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA). The Access to Frontline Health Care Act of 2009 (HR 2891) is intended to encourage physical therapists to practice in underserved areas in exchange for forgiveness of student loan debt.

HR 2891, which would amend the Public Health Service Act, creates a process that is similar to the National Health Services Corp (NHSC) in which a provider signs a commitment to practice in an area for at least 2 years in exchange for student loan repayment. Currently, physical therapists are not included in the NHSC's Loan Repayment Program. This legislation would complement the proposed Physical Therapist Student Loan Repayment Eligibility Act of 2009 (HR 988), which would allow physical therapists to participate in the NHSC's program.

Under HR 2891, providers pledge to practice in a "Frontline Scarcity Area." Scarcity areas include a Health Professional Shortage Area as defined by the Health Resources and Services Administration Shortage Designation Branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or an area designated by a state as having a shortage of frontline care services.