From Scrubs to Statutes: FIGS Backs Bipartisan Healthcare Tax Credit

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – March 13, 2026 – A landmark bipartisan bill aimed at alleviating critical healthcare workforce shortages was introduced in Congress today, proposing a significant federal tax credit for professionals serving in the nation’s most medically underserved communities. The legislation, titled the Healthcare is Human Act, was developed in partnership with the popular healthcare apparel brand FIGS and sponsored by Representatives Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Steven Horsford (D-NV), marking a unique collaboration between a direct-to-consumer company and federal lawmakers.

The bill seeks to provide a direct financial incentive of up to $6,000 per year to doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, directly targeting what many describe as the root causes of understaffing: low pay, high burnout, and a lack of support for frontline workers.

A Bipartisan Prescription for Critical Shortages

The Healthcare is Human Act proposes a nonrefundable federal income tax credit of up to $500 per month for healthcare professionals with an annual income below $200,000 for single filers or $400,000 for joint filers. To be eligible, professionals must provide at least 80 hours of care per month for a minimum of eight months per year in a qualifying facility. These facilities are defined as being enrolled in Medicare or Medicaid and located in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), or any Department of Veterans Affairs medical facility.

The scope of the problem is vast. According to the federal Health Services and Resources Administration, the country currently faces more than 8,200 primary care, 7,200 dental, and 6,600 mental health shortage areas. These gaps in care disproportionately affect rural and urban communities alike, forcing patients to travel long distances, endure extended wait times, or forgo care altogether.

The bill’s sponsors emphasized the urgent need for action in their own districts.

“Across Upstate New York and rural communities nationwide, too many families struggle to access timely medical care because there simply are not enough providers serving these areas,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The Healthcare is Human Act provides meaningful incentives for doctors, nurses, and other licensed professionals to deliver care where it is needed most.”

Representative Horsford echoed these concerns, noting the stark reality in his home state. “Every one of Nevada’s 17 counties, urban and rural alike, is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area,” he stated. “The least we can do is provide meaningful support for these frontline workers who dedicate their lives to caring for our communities.”

From Advocacy to Legislation: The FIGS Factor

The introduction of the bill represents a significant strategic step for FIGS, Inc., a company that built its brand by selling technically advanced and stylish scrubs directly to healthcare workers. This move into policy advocacy cements the company's identity as a champion for its core customer base, extending its mission beyond apparel and into the legislative arena.

The legislation is the direct result of a sustained advocacy campaign, building on the momentum from FIGS’ “Awesome Humans on the Hill” event in June 2025. During that event, a delegation of healthcare professionals, joined by actor Noah Wyle, lobbied lawmakers on Capitol Hill for fair pay and improved working conditions.

“Healthcare is human — it’s about real people who give everything of themselves to care for others,” said Trina Spear, CEO and Co-Founder of FIGS. “Yet too many are underpaid and undervalued, creating a deep unfairness for healthcare professionals as well as staffing shortages that cause serious social harm. The Healthcare is Human Act is historic: a federal bill to reward healthcare professionals with a tax credit for their extraordinary service.”

For the healthcare workers who participated in the lobbying efforts, the bill’s introduction is a powerful validation of their efforts. “When we came to Capitol Hill in June, we told Congress what life looks like for healthcare professionals,” said Farida Labaran, a registered nurse and FIGS Ambassador. “To see this bill introduced shows that our stories made an impact. This is a step toward a future where healthcare professionals feel more respected, supported, and truly valued.”

This initiative differentiates FIGS in a competitive market, positioning it as a brand deeply invested in the well-being of its community. While this foray into policy carries inherent risks, including the uncertainty of the legislative process, the potential reward is a deeper, more authentic connection with millions of healthcare professionals.

Context and Challenges in Workforce Incentives

The Healthcare is Human Act is not the first attempt to lure medical professionals to underserved areas. It joins a landscape of existing federal and state initiatives, most notably the National Health Service Corps (NHSC), which offers loan repayment and scholarships in exchange for service commitments in HPSAs. While programs like the NHSC have had documented success, they are often limited by funding caps and complex application processes, and significant workforce gaps persist.

The proposed tax credit offers a different, more direct approach. By providing a nonrefundable credit on federal income taxes, it could offer a simpler and more immediate financial benefit to a broad range of professionals already working in or considering a move to a shortage area. The bill also includes a provision for a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review to assess its effectiveness, indicating an intent to measure its real-world impact on retention and patient access.

However, the bill's journey through Congress is just beginning. As a newly introduced piece of legislation, it must first be assigned to committees for review and debate. A formal cost analysis from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has not yet been conducted, and its fiscal impact will be a key point of discussion. While its bipartisan sponsorship provides an initial advantage, the path to becoming law is often long and fraught with negotiation and compromise.

This legislative effort aims to provide a tangible reward for the demanding and often undercompensated work performed in the nation's most challenging healthcare environments. By offering a direct financial incentive, its proponents hope to not only retain the current workforce but also inspire a new generation of professionals to serve the communities that need them most.