As nationwide health care workforce shortages persist and PA programs struggle to secure clinical training sites for students, PAEA remains dedicated to finding policy solutions to these issues. One innovative approach that policymakers have introduced in recent years is tax incentives for clinical preceptors. Recently, a federal preceptor tax incentive has been proposed, and we encourage you to contact your congressional representatives to help build support for the Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act.

The bipartisan Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act, recently introduced by Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) and Marc Molinaro (R-NY), proposes a $1,000 non-refundable federal tax credit for preceptors who train health profession students in rural areas. This legislation, inspired by Colorado’s successful rural preceptor tax incentive, will ease the financial burden of recruiting preceptors for PA programs and enhance access to care in rural communities. By exposing students to rural settings during their clinical year, the likelihood of them practicing in rural areas increases significantly.

Your involvement is key to advancing this important legislation, which will greatly benefit PA faculty, students, and the health of patients in rural America. Please reach out to your elected officials in Congress and request their support for the Rural Health Preceptor Tax Fairness Act.