The Health Care Workforce Expansion Act aims to tackle nationwide doctor, dentist, and nurse shortages with free tuition, new grants, and rural relocation incentives. Updated on October 8, 2025 Credit: Bloomberg / Bloomberg / Getty Images The Health Care Workforce Expansion Act proposed by Sens. Bernie Sanders and Jeff Merkley would create tuition-free healthcare programs for many students. Lawmakers say the bill would address U.S. healthcare worker shortages.