HRSA awards $319 million for programs serving clinician shortage areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration yesterday awarded $319 million in fiscal year 2019 funding to support scholarship and loan repayment for medical, dental and behavioral health clinicians and students who serve in underserved rural, urban and tribal communities through the National Health Service Corps. The funding includes $80 million to support clinicians providing substance use disorder treatment in underserved communities, including more than 2,000 rural sites. “These awards not only get more NHSC providers into the communities that need them the most, but also help to keep those physicians working there long term," said HRSA Acting Administrator Tom Engels.