HHS Awards More Than $240 Million to Expand the Primary Care Workforce

Press Release

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Burwell today announced more than $240 million -- including about $176 million in Affordable Care Act funding -- to support the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) and NURSE Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs to increase access to primary health care in the communities that need it most.

"The most critical step in connecting people to quality health care is a primary care provider," said Secretary Burwell. "These awards provide financial support directly to health professionals, including physicians, registered nurses, and physician assistants, to help individuals -- particularly the 17.6 million uninsured who have recently gained coverage -- find the primary care services they need."

These programs provide funding to primary care clinicians and students in exchange for their service in underserved communities. They also assist in removing financial barriers for health professionals interested in practicing a primary care discipline, enabling them to pursue community-based careers.

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