IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025

Senate Bill

S. 632

119th Congress

IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 74.

Introduced:Feb 19, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Catherine Cortez Masto

D - NV

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Native Americans

Summary

The IHS Workforce Parity Act allows healthcare professionals who received Indian Health Professions Scholarships or participated in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program to fulfill their service obligations through half-time clinical practice rather than requiring full-time service. This provides more flexibility for participants while maintaining their commitment to serving Native American communities.

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 74.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The IHS Workforce Parity Act allows healthcare professionals who received Indian Health Professions Scholarships or participated in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program to fulfill their service obligations through half-time clinical practice rather than requiring full-time service. This provides more flexibility for participants while maintaining their commitment to serving Native American communities.

Last updated: 12/30/2025

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025This bill allows recipients of Indian Health Professions Scholarships or participants in the Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program to fulfill their service obligations through half-time clinical practice.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Allows half-time clinical practice to fulfill IHS service obligations
Applies to Indian Health Professions Scholarship recipients
Covers Indian Health Service Loan Repayment Program participants
Provides flexibility while maintaining service commitment
May help recruit healthcare providers to underserved areas
Supports Indian Health Service workforce needs

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

This bill addresses workforce challenges in Indian Health Service facilities, which often struggle to recruit and retain healthcare providers. By allowing half-time service, the bill may attract more healthcare professionals who want to serve Native communities but need flexibility for family obligations, additional training, or other commitments. While service periods would extend with half-time schedules, the increased flexibility could improve overall recruitment to chronically understaffed IHS facilities.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Native Americans

Related Subjects

Education programs funding

Government lending and loan guarantees

Health personnel

Health programs administration and funding

Higher education

Indian social and development programs

Medical education

Temporary and part-time employment

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

632, 119th Congress (2025). "IHS Workforce Parity Act of 2025". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-s-632