As part of the newly introduced Access to Frontline Health Care Act (H.R. 2891), doctors of chiropractic who practice in underserved areas would be eligible for student loan repayment. The legislation was recently introduced by Reps. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) and Zack Space (D-Ohio).
If passed into law, H.R. 2891 would create a new loan repayment program for frontline health care providers. Specifically, "frontline providers" would be defined as those who agree to practice in designated underserved areas for at least two years. According to the bill's authors, the legislation will help make certain that patients can receive comprehensive care, and offers an incentive to transition to an interdisciplinary approach.
"Many areas of the country are experiencing shortages of qualified health professionals, and doctors of chiropractic are uniquely positioned to provide high-quality, cost-effective care to the nation's underserved communities," said Glenn Manceaux, DC, president of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA). "I applaud Reps. Braley and Space for recognizing the value of chiropractic and for taking steps to ensure that patients everywhere have access to comprehensive health care."
The ACA worked closely with Rep. Braley and his staff to ensure inclusion of doctors of chiropractic in H.R. 2891. In addition, ACA looks forward to working with Reps. Braley and Space to include similar language in proposed national health care reform legislation.
Source: American Chiropractic Association
