What does Preamble of SPARC Act do?

This bill aims to amend the Public Health Service Act. The proposed amendment would authorize a loan repayment program. The program intends to encourage specialty medicine physicians to serve in rural communities. The bill addresses areas experiencing a shortage of specialty medicine physicians.

What does SHORT TITLE. of SPARC Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act.

What does SPECIALTY MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS WORKFORCE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. of SPARC Act do?

This section amends Title VII of the Public Health Service Act to establish a loan repayment program for specialty medicine physicians and non-physician specialty health care providers. The program provides payments towards eligible loans for physicians and providers who commit to a six-year period of obligated service in rural communities experiencing a shortage of specialty medicine physicians or providers. Eligible loans include Federal Direct Stafford Loans, Federal Direct PLUS Loans, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Direct Consolidation Loans, and Federal Perkins Loans. The total amount of payments under the program is capped at $250,000 per physician or provider. Borrowers are ineligible to receive loan reductions or repayments under both this program and other federally supported loan forgiveness programs. The Secretary may establish a liquidated damages formula for breaches of agreements, but good-faith completion of service years will not automatically constitute a breach. No more than 15 percent of funds allocated to the program may be used for non-physician specialty health care providers. The Secretary is required to report to Congress on the program's impact and the practice locations of participating providers.

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SPARC Act

Last updated: 7/23/2025 · Introduced: 7/23/2025

Author: John Joyce (R-PA)

TL;DR (AI)

The SPARC Act establishes a loan repayment program to incentivize specialty medicine physicians and other healthcare providers to practice in rural areas experiencing shortages.
Eligible providers can receive up to $250,000 in loan repayments in exchange for a six-year service commitment in a designated rural community.
The bill limits the use of program funds for non-physician providers to 15% and requires reporting to Congress on the program's effectiveness.

119th Congressin committeeS. 1380(In Committee)Official page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 1 more.

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