S. 1380 · In committee · Health

SPARC Act

Sponsor: Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

What it does

• Establishes student loan repayment programs to support specialty medical care in rural areas.
• Requires HRSA to run a program for specialty physicians, outside primary care, who serve rural communities with shortages of such physicians.
• Pays one-sixth of principal and interest on eligible loans for each year of obligated service, up to $250,000.
• Allows a similar HRSA loan repayment program for nonphysician specialty health care providers.

Official summary

Specialty Physicians Advancing Rural Care Act or the SPARC Act 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 specialty medicine physicians (i.e., practicing in an area other than primary care) 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.

Latest action

Mar 19, 2026: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Committee: Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions