A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 74.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025," seeks to amend the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. It aims to provide more flexibility for individuals who receive Indian Health Service scholarships and loans. Specifically, it allows these recipients to meet their service obligations through half-time clinical practice rather than only full-time practice. The bill outlines different requirements for service duration depending on whether the work is full-time or half-time. It also establishes rules for calculating damages if the service obligation is not completed.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +6
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill supports the Indian Health Service workforce, which directly benefits Native American communities.
- Scored +5
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill improves healthcare access by providing more flexible service options to incentivize clinical practice in Indian health programs.
- Scored +4
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill provides more flexible clinical practice options for young professionals receiving scholarships.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Flexibility for Scholarship Recipients: Under Section 2(a), individuals receiving Indian Health Scholarships can meet their service obligations through half-time clinical practice if they agree to certain conditions, such as doubling their required period of service.
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Expanded Options for Loan Repayment Participants: According to Section 2(b)(1)(iii), individuals in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program can serve through half-time clinical practice for a period of 4 years, providing an alternative to the standard 2-year full-time requirement.
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Addressing Health Care Shortages: Section 2(a)(3)(A)(i)(IV) allows for private practice to count toward service obligations if the practice is located in a health professional shortage area and addresses the health care needs of a substantial number of Indians.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Extended Service Obligations for Scholarship Recipients: Under Section 2(a)(3)(A)(ii)(I), individuals choosing to fulfill their obligation through half-time practice must agree in writing to double the period of service that would have been required if they had worked full-time.
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Increased Financial Risk for Breaching Contract: Section 2(a)(3)(A)(ii)(II) and Section 2(b)(1)(iv) specify that if an individual fails to begin or complete their service obligation, they will be subject to procedures for determining damages for breach of contract, with half-time service converted into its full-time equivalent for these calculations.
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Reduced Loan Payment Amounts for Half-Time Service: Section 2(b)(1)(iii)(III) notes that service in half-time clinical practice may result in a loan payment amount equal to only 50 percent of what would be payable for full-time service for the same period.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill supports the Indian Health Service workforce, which directly benefits Native American communities. Would students be better off under this? — The bill offers increased flexibility for students receiving health profession scholarships and loans. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill provides more flexible clinical practice options for young professionals receiving scholarships. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill encourages clinical practice in shortage areas, which benefits rural healthcare access.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — The bill increases flexibility for scholarship and loan recipients to manage their service obligations. Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill provides more versatile options for fulfilling loan repayment service requirements.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill improves healthcare access by providing more flexible service options to incentivize clinical practice in Indian health programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — By facilitating the workforce for Indian health programs, the bill supports health equity for Native American communities.
- 5/12/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Murkowski without amendment. With written report No. 119-21.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 74.
- 3/5/2025
- Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 2/19/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Markwayne MullinRepublican · Oklahoma