The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program (LRP) was established to assure an adequate supply of trained primary care health professionals to provide services in the neediest Health Professional Shortage Areas. Under this program, HHS agrees to repay the educational loans of the primary health care professionals. In return, the health professionals agree to service for a specified period of time in a federally designated HPSA approved by the Secretary for LRP participants.
The estimated total burden hours for this activity are 8,555 hours. This substantial decrease in burden hours (a difference of 3,573 hours) accounts for the streamlined application. The current online application incorporates a majority of the supporting and supplemental documents, thereby significantly reducing the number of burden hours spent by respondents. The modified application also lowers the number of responses needed from respondents, from 41,225 to 9,350 responses. Additionally, it is important to note that some of the forms may not be applicable and/or required by all participants. For example, the Private Practice Option is one such form that is only completed by those participants interested in exercising this particular service option. As a result, these form adjustments serve as another factor impacting the number of responses and burden hours for this activity.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.