Sand: Expand eligibility for rural health care loan forgiveness

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NEWTON — Medical reimbursement rates and keeping physicians in Iowa were among the topics Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand dug into with rural Iowa health care leaders during a campaign event Wednesday.

After the roughly one-hour discussion with eight stakeholders, Sand told reporters that one action item he’d like to see taken is expanding eligibility for the state’s existing rural health care loan forgiveness program.

Sand, the state auditor since 2019, is one of two Democrats seeking the party’s nomination in Iowa’s 2026 race for governor; the other is West Des Moines political consultant Julie Stauch .

Four Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination after incumbent R