Senators Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley have introduced legislation to make medical, nursing and dental schools tuition free and to expand the healthcare workforce.
The Health Care Workforce Expansion Act would make nonprofit dental schools tuition free for students who commit to becoming general dentists in rural communities, according to a Sept. 30 news release. It would also include investing $5 billion in medical, nursing and dental schools to boost enrollment and faculty and modernize clinical and classroom spaces.
Additionally, the bill would provide $20,000 relocation grants to doctors, dentists and nurses who agree to practice in rural communities.
The bill has been endorsed by several healthcare organizations, including the American Institute of Dental Public Health.
