Rural Health Training Opportunities Act
The Rural Health Training Opportunities Act would modify the Health Profession Opportunity Grants program (authorized under section 2008 of the Social Security Act) to emphasize rural access and add a transportation component. Specifically, it would give preference to grant applications that serve rural areas (where the trainees live, where the training occurs, or where an employer partner committed to hiring graduates is located) and require every funded project to include a transportation plan. That plan could involve subsidized transit enrollment or direct payments to cover transportation costs, and it defines transportation to include public transit or gasoline for a personal vehicle if public transit isn’t reasonably available. The bill also requires annual reporting to Congress on applications, approvals, and a review of how well the projects address rural health workforce shortages. The changes would take effect October 1, 2025.
Key Points
- 1Preference for rural-serving grant projects: In evaluating grant applications, the secretary would favor projects that serve rural areas meeting one of three criteria (trainee residence, project location, or employer partner location).
- 2Transportation assistance plan required: Grants must include a plan to provide participants with transportation, such as subsidized transportation enrollment or direct payments to cover transportation costs.
- 3Definition of transportation: Includes public transit, or gasoline for a personal vehicle if public transit isn’t reasonably accessible.
- 4Annual congressional reporting: Each Congress, the secretary must report on the number of applications, how many were referred and approved (including those referred for the rural preference), and assess the effectiveness of the rural projects in addressing health workforce shortages.
- 5Effective date: The amendments take effect on October 1, 2025.