US Code

Public Law 119-84 (04/18/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 254e

Health professional shortage areas

(a)

Designation by Secretary; removal from areas designated; “medical facility” defined

(1)
42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)section 254g of this title For purposes of this subpart the term “health professional shortage area” means (A) an area in an urban or rural area (which need not conform to the geographic boundaries of a political subdivision and which is a rational area for the delivery of health services) which the Secretary determines has a health manpower shortage and which is not reasonably accessible to an adequately served area, (B) a population group which the Secretary determines has such a shortage, or (C) a public or nonprofit private medical facility or other public facility which the Secretary determines has such a shortage. All Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics, as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act (), that meet the requirements of shall be automatically designated as having such a shortage. The Secretary shall not remove an area from the areas determined to be health professional shortage areas under subparagraph (A) of the preceding sentence until the Secretary has afforded interested persons and groups in such area an opportunity to provide data and information in support of the designation as a health professional shortage area or a population group described in subparagraph (B) of such sentence or a facility described in subparagraph (C) of such sentence, and has made a determination on the basis of the data and information submitted by such persons and groups and other data and information available to the Secretary.
(2)
For purposes of this subsection, the term “medical facility” means a facility for the delivery of health services and includes—
(A)
a hospital, State mental hospital, public health center, outpatient medical facility, rehabilitation facility, facility for long-term care, community mental health center, migrant health center, facility operated by a city or county health department, and community health center;
(B)
25 U.S.C. 5321 such a facility of a State correctional institution or of the Indian Health Service, and a health program or facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act [ et seq.];
(C)
section 248 of this title such a facility used in connection with the delivery of health services under (relating to hospitals), 249 of this title (relating to care and treatment of persons under quarantine and others), 250 of this title (relating to care and treatment of Federal prisoners), 251 of this title (relating to examination and treatment of certain Federal employees), 252 of this title (relating to examination of aliens), 253 of this title (relating to services to certain Federal employees), 247e of this title (relating to services for persons with Hansen’s disease), or 254b(h) of this title (relating to the provision of health services to homeless individuals); and
(D)
a Federal medical facility.
(3)
section 254b(h)(5) of this titlesection 254b(g)(3) of this titlesection 1437a(b)(1) of this title Homeless individuals (as defined in ), seasonal agricultural workers (as defined in ) and migratory agricultural workers (as so defined)), and residents of public housing (as defined in ) may be population groups under paragraph (1).
(b)

Criteria for designation of health professional shortage areas; promulgation of regulations

The Secretary shall establish by regulation criteria for the designation of areas, population groups, medical facilities, and other public facilities, in the States, as health professional shortage areas. In establishing such criteria, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following:
(1)
The ratio of available health manpower to the number of individuals in an area or population group, or served by a medical facility or other public facility under consideration for designation.
(2)
Indicators of a need, notwithstanding the supply of health manpower, for health services for the individuals in an area or population group or served by a medical facility or other public facility under consideration for designation.
(3)
The percentage of physicians serving an area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility under consideration for designation who are employed by hospitals and who are graduates of foreign medical schools.
(c)

Considerations in determination of designation

In determining whether to make a designation, the Secretary shall take into consideration the following:
(1)
The recommendations of the Governor of each State in which the area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility under consideration for designation is in whole or part located.
(2)
42 U.S.C. 1395 The extent to which individuals who are (A) residents of the area, members of the population group, or patients in the medical facility or other public facility under consideration for designation, and (B) entitled to have payment made for medical services under title XVIII, XIX, or XXI of the Social Security Act [ et seq., 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.], cannot obtain such services because of suspension of physicians from the programs under such titles.
(d)

Designation; publication of descriptive lists

(1)
In accordance with the criteria established under subsection (b) and the considerations listed in subsection (c), the Secretary shall designate health professional shortage areas in the States, publish a descriptive list of the areas, population groups, medical facilities, and other public facilities so designated, and at least annually review and, as necessary, revise such designations.
(2)
For purposes of paragraph (1), a complete descriptive list shall be published in the Federal Register not later than July 1 of 1991 and each subsequent year.
(e)

Notice of proposed designation of areas and facilities; time for comment

(1)
Prior to the designation of a public facility, including a Federal medical facility, as a health professional shortage area, the Secretary shall give written notice of such proposed designation to the chief administrative officer of such facility and request comments within 30 days with respect to such designation.
(2)
Prior to the designation of a health professional shortage area under this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, give written notice of the proposed designation of such area to appropriate public or private nonprofit entities which are located or have a demonstrated interest in such area and request comments from such entities with respect to the proposed designation of such area.
(f)

Notice of designation

The Secretary shall give written notice of the designation of a health professional shortage area, not later than 60 days from the date of such designation, to—
(1)
the Governor of each State in which the area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility so designated is in whole or part located; and
(2)
appropriate public or nonprofit private entities which are located or which have a demonstrated interest in the area so designated.
(g)

Recommendations to Secretary

Any person may recommend to the Secretary the designation of an area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility as a health professional shortage area.

(h)

Public information programs in designated areas

The Secretary may conduct such information programs in areas, among population groups, and in medical facilities and other public facilities designated under this section as health professional shortage areas as may be necessary to inform public and nonprofit private entities which are located or have a demonstrated interest in such areas of the assistance available under this subchapter by virtue of the designation of such areas.

(i)

Dissemination

The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall disseminate information concerning the designation criteria described in subsection (b) to—
(1)
the Governor of each State;
(2)
the representative of any area, population group, or facility selected by any such Governor to receive such information;
(3)
the representative of any area, population group, or facility that requests such information; and
(4)
the representative of any area, population group, or facility determined by the Administrator to be likely to meet the criteria described in subsection (b).
(j)

Regulations and report

(1)
The Secretary shall submit the report described in paragraph (2) if the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, issues—
(A)
a regulation that revises the definition of a health professional shortage area for purposes of this section; or
(B)
section 254f–1 of this title a regulation that revises the standards concerning priority of such an area under .
(2)
On issuing a regulation described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report that describes the regulation.
(3)
Each regulation described in paragraph (1) shall take effect 180 days after the committees described in paragraph (2) receive a report referred to in such paragraph describing the regulation.
(k)

Maternity care health professional target areas

(1)
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall identify, based on the data collected under paragraph (3), maternity care health professional target areas that satisfy the criteria described in paragraph (2) for purposes of, in connection with receipt of assistance under this subchapter, assigning to such identified areas maternity care health professionals who, without application of this subsection, would otherwise be eligible for such assistance. The Secretary shall distribute maternity care health professionals within health professional shortage areas using the maternity care health professional target areas so identified.
(2)
For purposes of paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish criteria for maternity care health professional target areas that identify geographic areas within health professional shortage areas that have a shortage of maternity care health professionals.
(3)
For purposes of this subsection, the Secretary shall collect and publish in the Federal Register data comparing the availability and need of maternity care health services in health professional shortage areas and in areas within such health professional shortage areas.
(4)
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall seek input from relevant provider organizations, including medical societies, organizations representing medical facilities, and other organizations with expertise in maternity care.
(5)
For purposes of this subsection, the term ‘full scope maternity care health services’ includes during labor care, birthing, prenatal care, and postpartum care.
(6)
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as—
(A)
requiring the identification of a maternity care health professional target area in an area not otherwise already designated as a health professional shortage area; or
(B)
affecting the types of health professionals, without application of this subsection, otherwise eligible for assistance, including a loan repayment or scholarship, pursuant to the application of this section.

July 1, 1944, ch. 373 Pub. L. 94–484, title IV, § 407(b)(3)90 Stat. 2270 Pub. L. 95–142, § 7(d)91 Stat. 1193 Pub. L. 96–32, § 7(d)93 Stat. 84 Pub. L. 97–35, title IX, § 986(b)(4)95 Stat. 603 Pub. L. 100–77, title VI, § 602101 Stat. 515 Pub. L. 100–177, title III, § 302101 Stat. 1003 Pub. L. 100–607, title VIII, § 802(b)(2)102 Stat. 3169 Pub. L. 100–628, title VI, § 602(b)(2)102 Stat. 3242 Pub. L. 101–597, title I, § 102104 Stat. 3014 Pub. L. 107–251, title III, § 302(a)116 Stat. 1643 Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(f)(1)117 Stat. 2021 Pub. L. 110–355, § 3(b)122 Stat. 3993 Pub. L. 115–320, § 2132 Stat. 4437 (, title III, § 332, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , title XXVII, § 2702(a), (b), (c), , , 903, 904; , , ; , , ; , , ; , , ; , title IV, § 401(b)[(a)], , , 3035; , (d)(2), title VI, § 601(a), , , 1645, 1664; , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 93–63888 Stat. 2206 section 5301 of Title 25The Indian Self-Determination Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(B), is title I of , , , which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 5321 et seq.) of chapter 46 of Title 25, Indians. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531 49 Stat. 620 section 1305 of this titleThe Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), is , . Titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Act are classified generally to subchapters XVIII (§ 1395 et seq.), XIX (§ 1396 et seq.), and XXI (§ 1397aa et seq.), respectively, of chapter 7 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.

Prior Provisions

section 256 of this titlePub. L. 95–626A prior section 332 of act , was renumbered section 340, and was classified to prior to repeal by .

Amendments

Pub. L. 115–3202018—Subsec. (k). added subsec. (k).

Pub. L. 110–3552008—Subsec. (a)(1). struck out “Not earlier than 6 years after such date of designation, and every 6 years thereafter, each such center or clinic shall demonstrate that the center or clinic meets the applicable requirements of the Federal regulations regarding the definition of a health professional shortage area for purposes of this section.” before “The Secretary shall not”.

Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(f)(1)(A)2003—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted “such date of designation” for “such date of enactment” and “regarding” for “, issued after the date of enactment of this Act, that revise”.

Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(f)(1)(B)Subsec. (a)(3). , substituted “254b(h)(5)” for “254b(h)(4)”.

Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(f)(1)(C)Subsec. (b)(2). , struck out comma before period at end.

Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(f)(1)(D)Subsec. (j). , added subsec. (j).

Pub. L. 107–251, § 302(a)(1)(A)42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)section 254g of this title2002—Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted after first sentence “All Federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics, as defined in section 1861(aa) of the Social Security Act (), that meet the requirements of shall be automatically designated as having such a shortage. Not earlier than 6 years after such date of enactment, and every 6 years thereafter, each such center or clinic shall demonstrate that the center or clinic meets the applicable requirements of the Federal regulations, issued after the date of enactment of this Act, that revise the definition of a health professional shortage area for purposes of this section.”

Pub. L. 107–251, § 601(a)Subsec. (a)(2)(C). , substituted “254b(h)” for “256”.

Pub. L. 107–251, § 302(a)(1)(B)section 254b(g)(3) of this titlesection 1437a(b)(1) of this titleSubsec. (a)(3). , substituted “254b(h)(4) of this title), seasonal agricultural workers (as defined in ) and migratory agricultural workers (as so defined)), and residents of public housing (as defined in ) may be population groups” for “256(r) of this title) may be a population group”.

Pub. L. 107–251, § 302(a)(2)Subsec. (b)(2). , struck out after “designation,” the following: “with special consideration to indicators of—

“(A) infant mortality,

“(B) access to health services,

“(C) health status, and

“(D) ability to pay for health services”.

Pub. L. 107–251, § 302(a)(3)Subsec. (c)(2)(B). , substituted “XVIII, XIX, or XXI of the Social Security Act” for “XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act”.

Pub. L. 107–251, § 302(d)(2)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).

Pub. L. 101–597, § 401(b)[(a)]1990—Subsec. (a)(1). , substituted reference to health professional shortage area for reference to health manpower shortage area wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(b)(1)Subsec. (a)(2)(A). , inserted “facility operated by a city or county health department,” before “and community health center”.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(b)(2)Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , inserted before semicolon “, and a health program or facility operated by a tribe or tribal organization under the Indian Self-Determination Act”.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(b)(3)Subsec. (a)(2)(C). , substituted “section” for “sections” before “248”, struck out “or” before “253” and “or section” before “247e”, and inserted before semicolon “, or 256 of this title (relating to the provision of health services to homeless individuals)”.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 401(b)[(a)]Subsec. (b). , substituted reference to health professional shortage area for reference to health manpower shortage area.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(c)(1), struck out “, promulgated not later than ,” after “establish by regulation”.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(c)(2)Subsec. (c). , redesignated pars. (2) and (3) as (1) and (2), respectively, and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows:

l“(A) The recommendations of each health systems agency (designated under section 300–4 of this title) for a health service area which includes all or any part of the area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility under consideration for designation.

section 300m of this title“(B) The recommendations of the State health planning and development agency (designated under ) if such area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility is within a health service area for which no health systems agency has been designated.”

Pub. L. 101–597, § 401(b)[(a)]Subsec. (d). , substituted reference to health professional shortage area for reference to health manpower shortage area in par. (1).

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(a), (c)(3), designated existing provision as par. (1), struck out “, not later than ,” after “Secretary shall designate”, and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 101–597, § 401(b)[(a)]Subsec. (e). , substituted reference to health professional shortage area for reference to health manpower shortage area wherever appearing.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 401(b)[(a)]Subsec. (f). , substituted reference to health professional shortage area for reference to health manpower shortage area.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 102(c)(4), redesignated par. (3) as (2) and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows:

l“(A) each health systems agency (designated under section 300–4 of this title) for a health service area which includes all or any part of the area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility so designated; or

section 300m of this title“(B) the State health planning and development agency of the State (designated under ) if there is a part of such area, population group, medical facility, or other public facility within a health service area for which no health systems agency has been designated; and”.

Pub. L. 101–597, § 401(b)[(a)]Subsecs. (g), (h). , substituted reference to health professional shortage area for reference to health manpower shortage area.

Pub. L. 100–607Pub. L. 100–6281988—Subsec. (a)(3). and made identical amendments, substituting “section 256(r)” for “section 256(q)(2)”.

Pub. L. 100–177, § 302(1)1987—Subsec. (a)(1). , inserted sentence at end relating to removal of an area from areas determined to be health manpower shortage areas.

Pub. L. 100–77Subsec. (a)(3). added par. (3).

Pub. L. 100–177, § 302(2)Subsec. (b)(2)(D). , added subpar. (D).

Pub. L. 97–35, § 2702(a)1981—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). , inserted provisions respecting reasonable accessibility to adequately served area.

Pub. L. 97–35, § 986(b)(4)Subsec. (a)(2)(C). , substituted “persons under quarantine” for “seamen”.

Pub. L. 97–35, § 2702(c)Subsec. (e). , designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).

Pub. L. 97–35, § 2702(b)Subsec. (h). , substituted “may” for “shall”.

Pub. L. 96–32section 247e of this title1979—Subsec. (a)(2)(C). substituted “” for “part D of subchapter II of this chapter”.

Pub. L. 95–1421977—Subsec. (c)(3). added par. (3).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Pub. L. 108–163Pub. L. 107–251section 3 of Pub. L. 108–163section 233 of this titleAmendments by deemed to have taken effect immediately after the enactment of , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendments

Pub. L. 100–628, title VI, § 631102 Stat. 3244

section 256 of this titlesection 256 of this titlesection 290aa–3 of this title“The amendments made by subsection (a) of section 601 [amending ] shall take effect in accordance with subsection (b) of such section [formerly set out as a note under ]. The amendments otherwise made by this title [amending this section and sections 256, 290bb–2, 290cc–21, 290cc–28, 290cc–29, 290cc–35, 290cc–36, 290dd, 290ee, and 290ee–1 of this title and amending provisions set out as a note under ] shall take effect , or upon the date of the enactment of this Act [], whichever occurs later.”
, , , provided that:

Pub. L. 100–607, title VIII, § 831102 Stat. 3171

section 256 of this titlesection 256 of this titlesection 290aa–3 of this title“The amendments made by subsection (a) of section 801 [amending ] shall take effect in accordance with subsection (b) of such section [formerly set out as a note under ]. The amendments otherwise made by this title [amending this section and sections 256, 290bb–2, 290cc–21, 290cc–28, 290cc–29, 290cc–35, 290cc–36, 290dd, 290ee, and 290ee–1 of this title and amending provisions set out as a note under ] shall take effect , or upon the date of the enactment of this Act [], whichever occurs later.”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1981 Amendment

section 986(b)(4) of Pub. L. 97–35section 986(c) of Pub. L. 97–35section 249 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1977 Amendment

Pub. L. 95–142, § 7(e)(1)91 Stat. 1194

“The amendment made by subsection (d) [amending this section] shall apply with respect to determinations and designations made on and after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Regulations

Pub. L. 107–251, title III, § 302(b)116 Stat. 1644 section 254f–1 of this titlePub. L. 108–163, § 2(f)(2)117 Stat. 2022 , , , which required the Secretary to submit a report to Congress, if the Secretary issued regulations revising the definition of a health professional shortage area under this section and standards concerning priority of such an area under , was repealed by , , .

Improvement of Site Designation Process

Pub. L. 107–251, title III, § 302(d)(1)116 Stat. 1644

“The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, in consultation with the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, dental societies, and other interested parties, shall revise the criteria on which the designations of dental health professional shortage areas are based so that such criteria provide a more accurate reflection of oral health care need, particularly in rural areas.”
, , , provided that:

GAO Study

Pub. L. 107–251, title III, § 302(e)116 Stat. 1645 , , , required the Comptroller General, no later than , to submit to Congress a report on the appropriateness of certain criteria established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the designation of health professional shortage areas and whether federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics should be deemed as such areas.

Reference to Community, Migrant, Public Housing, or Homeless Health Center Considered Reference to Health Center

section 4(c) of Pub. L. 104–299section 254b of this titleReference to community health center, migrant health center, public housing health center, or homeless health center, considered reference to health center, see , set out as a note under .

Evaluation of Criteria Used To Designate Health Manpower Shortage Areas; Report to Congress

Pub. L. 97–35, title XXVII, § 2702(c)95 Stat. 903 section 254e(b) of this title, , , directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services, effective , to evaluate the criteria used under to determine if the use of the criteria resulted in areas which did not have a shortage of health professions personnel being designated as health manpower shortage areas, and to consider different criteria (including the actual use of health professions personnel in an area by the residents, taking into account their health status and indicators of unmet demand and likelihood that such demand would not be met in two years) which might be used to designate health manpower shortage areas. The Secretary was to report the results of his activities to Congress not later than .