Press Releases

WASHINGTON—U.S. Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Marc Molinaro (R-NY) introduced the Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act. The bipartisan legislation would create a $1,000 non-refundable tax credit for health preceptors — licensed medical professionals who supervise medical and nursing students during their clinical rotations — in rural areas, creating an increased financial incentive for medical professionals in rural communities to take on precepting duties. 

Increasing the amount of preceptors in rural communities will expand available medical training opportunities, leading to more medical professionals practicing in rural communities. According to the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, family medicine residents who spent most of their training in  rural communities were five times more likely to practice in rural settings.

“There is a critical shortage of medical professionals in our rural communities,” said Rep. Pettersen. “This bipartisan bill will incentivize medical professionals to take on the important responsibility of training the next generation of doctors and nurses. Students will benefit from the invaluable hands-on teaching from seasoned medical professionals, and our rural communities will benefit from a stronger healthcare workforce that is ready to serve.”

“There's a severe healthcare shortage in our rural communities in Upstate New York and across America,” said Rep. Molinaro. “By establishing this tax credit, we will incentivize rural healthcare supervisors to teach and stay in our communities and produce a steady stream of qualified medical and nursing professionals who can meet the needs of those living in rural America.”

“On behalf of CRHC, I am thrilled to see the proposed legislation to support rural primary care preceptors. Rural areas thrive because of a strong workforce and in order to combat the severe shortage of primary care physicians, advanced practice providers, dentists, mental health professionals and others, there must be recognition and resources given to support the invaluable work to foster a new generation of healthcare providers,” said Sarah Leahy, Director of Member Services, Colorado Rural Health Center.

“Workforce shortages continue to plague rural areas across the country. Individuals who experience clinical training in rural areas are five times more likely to choose to practice in a rural community upon graduation.  The National Rural Health Association commends Representatives Pettersen and Molinaro, for championing a common sense solution through the Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act to incentive health professionals to serve as preceptors for crucial clinical training in rural areas,” said Alan Morgan, CEO, the National Rural Health Association.

“The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry applauds Representative Pettersen for her leadership in introducing the Rural Health Preceptor Tax Credit. This will allow aspiring health professionals to help deliver care to families in underserved communities while providing them the opportunity to witness how rural healthcare is delivered. By allowing students to understand rural healthcare early in their medical career, my hope is that they will choose a career to serve the people who live in the areas of most need,” said American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry President Tami D. Benton, MD. 

“AANP thanks Reps. Pettersen and Molinaro for their focus on increasing clinical training opportunities in rural communities. This legislation will help support the critical work performed by preceptors to clinically prepare our next generation of nurse practitioners,” said Stephen Ferrara, President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).