Federal funding aimed at improving health care in underserved areas

WASHINGTON - The Illinois Department of Public Health received nearly half a million dollars in federal funding to help recruit new health professionals.

The money - $498,420 in two awards - is intended to encourage health professionals to practice in underserved areas by helping pay off their student loans, according to U.S. Rep. Bill Foster's office, which announced the grants.

"We are pleased to be receiving funds ... that will help IDPH continue to improve access to health care in Illinois," said agency spokeswoman Kelly Jakubek.

"These funds will bring additional health care professionals to areas in need across the state, helping citizens to have greater access to primary care, care that they previously may not have been able to receive," Foster said in a news release.

Illinois was awarded $450,000 through the State Loan Repayment Program, which provides grants to fund loan repayment programs designed to increase the availability of primary health service providers in areas where there is a shortage.

Jakubek said the money will allow 18 additional health care workers to participate in the student loan repayment program.

Health professionals receiving the money will have to commit to serving the area for a minimum of two years.

Another $48,420 was awarded to a similar scholarships and loan repayment program for health care clinicians.

The funding for Illinois is part of $500 million in stimulus funding budgeted for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The federal money matches state funding, Jakubek said.