WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today said New Mexico stands to gain from a new health insurance law initiative that helps doctors serving rural communities repay their school loans. Bingaman helped write the provision of the law that invests $290 million next year in the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (NHSC).

The NHSC offers primary care medical, dental and mental health clinicians up to $60,000 to repay student loans in exchange for two years of service at health care facilities in medically underserved areas.

"This new health insurance law aims to expand quality health care to millions more Americans. Many health care providers serving in rural parts of our state already benefit from the National Health Service Corps. Expanding the loan repayment program will ensure that more New Mexicans can access quality health care," Bingaman said.

The Obama administration today also announced that, under the new health insurance law, insurance companies will be required to spend at least 80 percent of the premiums they generate providing quality health care.