The Affordable Care Act provided $1.5B nationally (through September 2015) to the National Health Service Corps to train and recruit more primary care providers via scholarships and loan repayment assistance. It’s a federal program been building healthy communities by connecting primary health care providers to areas of the United States with limited access to care since 1972. 

The Corps basically brings health care to those who need it most because of limited access to care.  Today, there are more than 10,000 providers who commit to serve in underserved communities and serve many of the country’s most vulnerable populations.  In Arizona, the new expansion provides the opportunity for communities to use the Corps for recruitment and retention of primary care providers in medically underserved areas. 

Locally, our Bureau of Health Systems Development collaborates with the Arizona Association of Community Health Centers to provide tools and successful models for recruitment and retention to Chief Medical Officers, Medical Directors, Human Resources Directors, Clinic Administrators, and other staff involved in recruitment and retention.  You can find the full list of events happening in Arizona to celebrate the upcoming  Annual Corps Community Day.