SPARC Act

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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

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Where it stands

Assigned to a committee for review.

Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions · U.S. Senate

Full history

1. Jun 17, 2026

   Introduced

   Introduced in U.S. Senate

   U.S. Senate

2. Mar 19, 2026

   Hearing held

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

3. Mar 19, 2026

   Hearing held

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

4. Mar 19, 2026

   Hearing held

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

5. Mar 19, 2026

   In committee

   Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

   U.S. Senate