Congressman Pat Harrigan Introduces REACH Act to Strengthen Rural Health Care Workforce
Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10), alongside co-leads Congressmen Tom Barrett (R-MI-07) and Don Davis (D-NC-01), introduced the Resources for Essential Access to Community Health (REACH) Act, legislation to address the shortage of health care providers in rural communities by offering a refundable $10,000 annual tax credit to doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and medical residents who choose to work in rural areas.
“Too many families in rural North Carolina have to drive farther and wait longer just to see a doctor because there simply aren’t enough health care professionals nearby. If we want to change that, we have to make it easier for doctors, nurses, and mental health professionals to choose these communities and stay there,” said Congressman Harrigan. “The REACH Act puts a real incentive behind that choice, giving providers a $10,000 tax credit to serve rural communities and helping more families get the care they need closer to home.”
“Too many of our rural communities don’t have enough doctors and nurses to provide essential care for the local residents who need it,” said Congressman Barrett. “Where you live should never be a barrier to accessing quality care. By providing an incentive to attract these professionals to our communities, our bipartisan REACH Act will make health care more affordable and accessible for families in rural mid-Michigan.”
"Every patient deserves the same standard of care, no matter their zip code. That's especially true in rural North Carolina, where shortages of physicians, nurses, and mental health providers make access to care more challenging than it should be. As an academic health system, training the next generation of healthcare professionals is central to our mission, and we welcome Congressman Harrigan's efforts to strengthen the rural healthcare workforce and encourage more providers to serve the communities that need them most,” said Dr. David Zaas, Chief Executive Officer, Duke University Health System.
“As the largest provider of rural health care in North Carolina, Atrium Health understands firsthand the importance of attracting and retaining providers in underserved areas. We applaud Representatives Pat Harrigan and Don Davis for introducing the REACH Act and for their leadership in addressing the unique health care challenges facing rural communities. This legislation is an important step toward strengthening the rural health care workforce, expanding access to care, and ensuring patients can receive high-quality healthcare services close to home. We appreciate them for their bipartisan commitment to supporting the health and well-being of rural North Carolina communities,” said Steve Moot, President North Carolina & Georgia Division, Atrium Health.
“Rural hospitals and health systems are working every day to recruit and retain the healthcare professionals their communities need. The REACH Act would give rural providers another tool to compete for talented professionals and strengthen access to care in communities across North Carolina," said Josh Dobson, President and CEO of NCHA.
Under the REACH Act, eligible providers who work at least 900 hours per year in a rural area would qualify for the $10,000 credit. The legislation covers primary care practitioners, including OB-GYNs, as well as mental health professionals, nurses, and residents participating in approved medical residency programs.
The credit would begin to phase out for providers with adjusted gross incomes above $170,000 and would remain available for qualifying rural employment through 2033. The legislation would take effect beginning with the 2027 tax year.