SPARC Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4681
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:09:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to address shortages of specialty medical care in rural communities by establishing a federal loan repayment program. It encourages physicians and certain non-physician providers to practice in these areas through financial incentives tied to service commitments.
Key Provisions
- Amends Title VII of the Public Health Service Act by adding a new Part G titled "Specialty Medicine Workforce in Rural Communities."
- Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to enter agreements with specialty medicine physicians (and optionally non-physician specialty providers) for loan repayment in exchange for 6 years of full-time service in rural shortage areas.
- Repayment covers eligible federal student loans up to a maximum of $250,000, structured as one-sixth of the balance per year, with the remainder paid upon completion of the sixth year.
- Defines eligible loans to include those for specialty medical education, Federal Direct Loans, Perkins Loans, and other federal loans as determined by the Secretary.
- Prohibits participants from receiving duplicate benefits under other federal loan forgiveness programs for the same service.
- Limits non-physician providers to no more than 15 percent of program funds and excludes them from other health care-specific federal loan forgiveness.
- Requires biennial reports to Congress starting 5 years after enactment through fiscal year 2033 on program outcomes and data updates on provider supply.
- Authorizes appropriations as necessary for fiscal years 2025 through 2034.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Redesignates the existing Part G of Title VII as Part H to accommodate the new section.
- Introduces a targeted loan repayment mechanism focused exclusively on specialty (non-primary care) physicians and providers in rural shortage areas, which did not previously exist under the Public Health Service Act.
- Establishes new definitions distinguishing specialty medicine physicians from primary care providers and non-physician specialty health care providers.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: HRSA gains responsibility for administering the program, including agreements, payments, and reporting; may require updates to existing data systems on health workforce supply.
- Citizens: Aims to increase availability of specialty care services in rural communities, potentially improving health outcomes for residents in shortage areas.
- International relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
- Program participation is voluntary, with breach remedies limited to liquidated damages formulas set by the Secretary.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Specialty medicine physicians and non-physician specialty health care providers seeking loan relief.
- Rural communities and patients facing specialty care shortages.
- Federal agencies, particularly HRSA.
- Educational institutions and lenders involved in medical training loans.
- Congress, through required reporting.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill operates within Congress's authority to fund public health initiatives and does not appear to raise new constitutional concerns, as it builds on existing loan repayment frameworks.
- Includes safeguards against overlapping benefits to prevent double-dipping on federal funds.
- Bipartisan introduction suggests broad support for rural health access, though implementation depends on annual appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (8 pages)