The NHSC Loan Repayment Program recruits certain medical providers to work in rural and medically underserved regions, known as Health Professional Shortage Areas, or HPSAs. The program awards scholarships and student loan repayments up to $50,000 per participant, provided that the medical provider agrees to work in an HPSA for at least a two-year, full-time commitment or a four-year, part-time commitment. 

Currently, participation in the program is generally restricted to physicians, physician assistants, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and behavioral and mental health providers. H.R. 5621 would add PTs to the program to treat more individuals with pain, chronic diseases, and other conditions in HPSAs. 

Most participants in the NHSC provide care in outpatient settings in the CHCs. However, in a CHC setting, PTs can only work under the supervision of a primary care physician on-site. This provides no incentive for PTs to be on staff. H.R. 5621 allows CHCs the option to hire PTs as they would other medical providers and bill Medicare and Medicaid for physical therapy care — services already covered under those programs.