By Brittany R. Ballenstedt
Legislation introduced Thursday in the Senate would establish scholarships and loan repayment programs for students going into public health professions.
The bill, (S. 1182), introduced by Sens. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Dick Durbin, D-Ill., aims to increase the pipeline of qualified public health workers at the federal, state, local and tribal levels by providing scholarships to students pledging to go into the field.
Additionally, the legislation encourages graduates to stay in the profession by providing student loan repayments in exchange for a commitment of service to public health. The bill would require an employee to serve at least three years, with potential longer periods as determined by the Health and Human Services secretary and the employee, said Mike Buttry, a spokesman for Hagel.
Full story: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37593&dcn=e_gvet
