The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) is part of the
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the U.S. federal government created to protect the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is ...
, division of
Health Resources and Services Administration
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services located in North Bethesda, Maryland. It is the primary federal agency for improving access to health care services for peop ...
,
Bureau of Health Workforce
The Bureau of Health Workforce is a part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
HRSA programs train health care professionals and place them where they are needed m ...
.
Members are health professionals providing primary health care services in underserved communities since 1972. In exchange, the providers are given either loan repayment or scholarship throughout their
medical education
Medical education is education related to the practice of being a medical practitioner, including the initial training to become a physician (i.e., medical school and internship) and additional training thereafter (e.g., residency, fellowship, ...
, not to exceed four years.
The scholarship program provides for students' reasonable educational expenses (tuition, books and other required services like health insurance) and a monthly stipend for room and board. After school (and residency for
medical
Medicine is the science and practice of caring for a patient, managing the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, treatment, palliation of their injury or disease, and promoting their health. Medicine encompasses a variety of health care practic ...
,
osteopathic medical, and dental students) the student must apply for preapproved positions in underserved areas.
The student must apply just like any job applicant. Applicants who choose a specialty other than primary care or otherwise do not fulfill the service requirement must repay the government three times the investment with interest.
The loan repayment program works similarly, but students apply for the program after school and the NHSC repays up to $50,000 every two years. There is also the option to work in an NHSC-approved location for five years, which potentially entitles the student to receive $170,000 in loan repayment. Also, there are more available positions because the criteria are less stringent.
The legislative battle to establish the NHSC was the subject of the book "The Dance of Legislation" by
Eric Redman.
References
External links
National Health Service Corpsofficial site
Health Resources and Services Administration
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