U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) this week reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act.
Support and work to pass the Rural America Health Corps Act to address health care provider shortages in rural communities.
Occurrences
S. 4208 (IS) - Rural America Health Corps Act ... To establish a demonstration program to provide payments on eligible loans for individuals who are eligible for the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program. ... Action Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill;
Durbin also introduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act to create a NHSC pilot program to test whether an expanded loan repayment award and service commitment would increase retention in rural areas.
Durbin, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Address Health Care Provider Shortages In Rural Communities
Last week, Durbin and U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act.
In March, Durbin reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act, legislation that would incentivize more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities by creating a new program under the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) National Health Service Corps (NHSC) to test whether an increased loan repayment amount would improve the retention of health providers in rural areas.
Evidence
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On March 25, 2026, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard J. Durbin introduced S. 4208, the Rural America Health Corps Act, in the Senate. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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On March 27, 2026, Senators Durbin and Blackburn reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act to address health care provider shortages in rural communities.
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On February 7, 2025, Representative David Kustoff introduced H.R.1127, the Rural America Health Corps Act, in the House of Representatives. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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On March 29, 2023, the American Hospital Association expressed support for the Rural America Health Corps Act (S.940), highlighting the need for a qualified and diverse health care workforce in rural areas.
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On March 26, 2026, Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representative David Kustoff introduced the Rural Health Agenda, which includes the Rural America Health Corps Act. This legislation aims to address health care provider shortages in rural communities by incentivizing health professionals to serve in these areas through loan repayment programs.
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On March 25, 2026, Senator Marsha Blackburn, along with Senators Richard J. Durbin, Lisa Murkowski, Gary C. Peters, and Shelley Moore Capito, introduced S. 4208, the Rural America Health Corps Act. The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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On March 27, 2026, Senators Dick Durbin and Marsha Blackburn reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act to address health care provider shortages in rural communities. The legislation aims to incentivize health professionals to serve in these areas through loan repayment programs.
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Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Bill Number: S. 4208. Short Title: Rural America Health Corps Act.
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Actions Overview: 03/22/2023 | Introduced in Senate. All Actions: 03/22/2023 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Cosponsors include Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL].
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Durbin and Blackburn said they "reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act" to address growing health disparities by incentivizing more health professionals to serve and plant roots in rural communities.
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Latest Action: House - 02/07/2025 Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. This bill has the status Introduced.
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GovInfo lists S. 4208 as introduced in the Senate on March 25, 2026, read twice, and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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GovInfo lists H.R. 1127 as introduced in the House on February 7, 2025, and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.
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Congress.gov lists H.R.1127's latest action as House referral to the Committee on Energy and Commerce on 02/07/2025 and says the bill has the status Introduced. The action list shows only referral and introduction.
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The GovInfo bill text says S. 4208 was introduced on March 25, 2026 by Mrs. Blackburn for herself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Capito, and was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
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Durbin's office said Durbin and Blackburn reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act, and Durbin called it "my bipartisan bill with Senator Blackburn" to expand loan repayment support for rural health care providers.
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Blackburn's office described the Rural America Health Corps Act as co-led by Senator Dick Durbin and said it would create an NHSC pilot program with up to $200,000 in loan repayment for clinicians working full-time in rural shortage areas for five years.
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Congress.gov lists S.940's latest action as read twice and referred to the Senate HELP Committee on 03/22/2023, says the bill has the status Introduced, and lists Sen. Durbin as a cosponsor on 03/22/2023.
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To address the health care workforce shortage, Durbin has worked across the aisle to introduce legislation that would bring more health care professionals to rural areas, support health care educators, and build up the health care workforce. In March, Durbin reintroduced the bipartisan Rural America Health Corps Act
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Last Action Date Listed March 25, 2026 Action Mrs. Blackburn (for herself, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Murkowski, Mr. Peters, and Mrs. Capito) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
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Last Action Date Listed February 7, 2025 Action Mr. Kustoff (for himself and Ms. Budzinski) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
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Mr. Kustoff (for himself and Ms. Budzinski) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
Assessments
Durbin materially supported the Rural America Health Corps Act by joining/reintroducing the 2026 Senate bill and cosponsoring prior versions, so he made a serious legislative effort. But the official bill records cited show the Senate and House measures only introduced and referred to committee, with no passage or enactment. Because the promised outcome was to work to pass the Act and it has not passed, this is not delivered, though effort credit is warranted.
Durbin actively supported and helped reintroduce the Rural America Health Corps Act in March 2026, but the available bill record shows only introduction and referral to committee, with no enactment. That is a serious legislative effort, but the promised outcome was not delivered.
Durbin repeatedly supported the Rural America Health Corps Act and cointroduced/reintroduced it in the Senate, but the evidence shows only introduction, referral, and committee action. There is no enactment or passage, so the promised outcome was not delivered despite serious legislative effort.
Durbin supported and materially advanced the Rural America Health Corps Act by joining its Senate introductions/reintroductions, including S.940 in 2023 and S.4208 in March 2026, and publicly promoting the bill. However, the evidence shows the relevant bills were only introduced and referred to committee, with no passage or enactment. Because the promised outcome was to work to pass the Act and the Act has not passed, this is not delivered. The serious legislative effort warrants the effort badge.
Durbin materially supported the Rural America Health Corps Act by joining the 2026 Senate introduction/reintroduction and promoting it publicly, and he was also associated with the earlier 2023 version. However, the evidence shows the relevant bills were only introduced and referred to committee, with no passage or enactment. Because the promised outcome included working to pass the Act and it has not passed, this is not delivered, but the legislative effort merits the effort badge.
Durbin materially supported and advanced the Rural America Health Corps Act by joining the 2026 Senate introduction/reintroduction and publicly promoting it, with earlier cosponsorship activity also shown. However, the evidence only shows introduction and referral to committee, not passage or enactment. Because the promise was to work to pass the Act and the Act had not passed as of the evidence provided, this counts as a failed delivery with serious legislative effort.
Senator Durbin promised to support and work to pass the Rural America Health Corps Act. Multiple records confirm that he introduced and reintroduced the bill, actively supporting it and seeking its passage. However, there is no evidence that the legislation actually passed or became law in the available evidence. Therefore, the promise was not fulfilled, but substantial legislative effort is clearly demonstrated.
Senator Durbin kept his promise to support and work to pass the Rural America Health Corps Act by introducing and reintroducing the bill, as well as gathering bipartisan and organizational support. However, the available evidence does not show that the act was passed into law during the relevant term. This constitutes a serious legislative effort without fulfillment of the promised outcome.
Senator Durbin promised to support and work to pass the Rural America Health Corps Act. The evidence shows he actively introduced and reintroduced the bill during the term, and there was notable external support from organizations like the American Hospital Association. However, there is no evidence that the bill became law or even passed one chamber; thus, the promised outcome (passing the Act) was not delivered despite a serious legislative effort.
Senator Durbin actively supported and repeatedly introduced or reintroduced the Rural America Health Corps Act in the Senate during the stated term. However, there is no evidence that the bill was passed into law. The available evidence only confirms introduction, referral to committee, and expressions of stakeholder support, but does not show legislative passage or substantive implementation. Substantial effort was made, but the promise—to pass the Act—was not fulfilled.