PA HB157

Establishes the Rural Health Care Grant Program within the Department of Health to provide grants to birth centers, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and hospitals in medically underserved areas or rural counties (population density less than 284 persons per square mile)

Grants pay education debt for physicians, nurses, midwives, dentists, and dental hygienists employed full-time (30+ hours/week) at eligible entities, with a maximum of $250,000 per entity per calendar year, disbursed in $10,000 increments

Practitioners must commit to a minimum three-year employment term, begin work within six months of accepting the position, and hold applicable Pennsylvania licensure to receive debt payments

Priority given to independent entities not owned by, managed by, or affiliated with larger health care systems; grants are not considered taxable income under Pennsylvania law

Department must approve or deny applications within 60 days, disburse funds within 90 days of approval, and publish annual reports detailing grants awarded, practitioner types, and entity locations; act takes effect 120 days after enactment