Bill Overview
Title: SPARC Act
Description: This bill establishes student loan repayment programs to support the provision of specialty medical care in rural areas. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must carry out such a program for certain specialty medicine physicians who provide care in rural communities with shortages of such physicians. Physicians must agree to a period of obligated service and, for each year of such service, HRSA must pay one-sixth of the principal payment and interest on eligible loans up to a maximum cap of $250,000. Additionally, HRSA may carry out a similar loan repayment program for nonphysician specialty health care providers.
Sponsors: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Target Audience
Population: People living in rural areas requiring specialty medical care
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill aims to support specialty medical care in rural areas, which traditionally face challenges in retaining medical professionals.
- Rural areas have a known shortage of medical professionals, particularly those who specialize in certain medical fields.
- By targeting physicians and other nonphysician specialty healthcare providers, the bill aims to alleviate these shortages by incentivizing professionals with student loan repayment offers.
- This bill is likely to impact rural communities by increasing access to specialized healthcare services.
- Specialty physicians are those who have a postgraduate medical specialty, which can range from cardiology to neurology, thus impacting patients who need specialized medical attention.
Reasoning
- The SPARC Act targets a critical issue in rural healthcare by addressing the shortage of specialty physicians through financial incentives.
- Approximately 20% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas, many of who experience limited access to specialized healthcare services.
- Given a budget of $50 million in the first year and $589.5 million over ten years, the policy is expected to substantially attract healthcare providers to rural areas to fill care gaps.
- Though the immediate impact may only be visible in the lives of those directly receiving or providing care, the ripple effect can increase overall community wellbeing by improving overall healthcare access.
- Not all rural residents will be directly impacted, as the program supports qualifying physicians through loan repayment rather than direct community funding.
Simulated Interviews
Cardiologist (Grand Island, Nebraska)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think the SPARC Act is a great initiative. I have always wanted to serve in rural areas but was worried about my student loans.
- This program might finally make it financially feasible for me to move back to my hometown and practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
General Surgeon (Bismarck, North Dakota)
Age: 43 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The idea is solid but doesn't offer me any personal incentives to move now.
- If the program had existed earlier in my career, it might have influenced my choices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Dermatologist (Farmington, Maine)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The loan repayment program is definitely an encouragement for my clinic idea.
- Dermatology often gets overlooked in rural health discussions, so this is promising.
- I'll apply and make my decision based on funding availability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Orthopedic Specialist (Jackson, Wyoming)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act won't directly affect my practice, since I don't possess student loans.
- However, I can see how my younger colleagues might find it beneficial and perhaps draw them to the area.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Family Medicine Physician (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SPARC Act could relieve a large financial burden off my shoulders. It's exactly what physicians in rural areas need!
- I'll definitely apply since my diabetes specialty is in high demand here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Pediatrician (Rural Texas)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nice to see more support coming for rural medicine.
- The loan repayment won't affect me since my loans are nearly finished, but it could help new recruits to our hospital.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Neurologist (Rural Kentucky)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The program is very appealing, given my current financial status.
- I would consider moving to a rural area if this program helps me manage my student debt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Radiologist (Bozeman, Montana)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Although I won't benefit from such a program, it might encourage younger radiologists to fill the gap I'm leaving.
- Rural communities like mine always appreciated specialized healthcare efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Psychiatrist (Appalachian Ohio)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The SPARC Act could help alleviate some of my financial stress.
- I'll apply and hope to continue my practice while addressing my debt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
ENT Specialist (Springfield, Missouri)
Age: 47 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I'm not burdened by student debt now, seeing younger specialists join us could help expand healthcare reach here.
- It's a positive step for rural healthcare sustainability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $52000000 (Low: $42000000, High: $62000000)
Year 3: $55000000 (Low: $45000000, High: $65000000)
Year 5: $60000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $70000000)
Year 10: $65000000 (Low: $55000000, High: $75000000)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $120000000)
Key Considerations
- The degree of participation from specialty physicians and healthcare providers is critical for the program's impact.
- Setting suitable caps on loan repayment to contain costs while providing suitable incentives is a challenge.
- Potential future changes in rural healthcare needs and demographics could modify the program's impact.
- The administrative efficiency of HRSA in managing this program is essential for minimizing overhead costs.