Rural Clinics Assistance Act /ro̅o̅″rəl/ , an act of the U.S. Congress that permitted the establishment of clinics in certain areas designated rural and underserved and in some inner cities. The clinics are designed to provide primary care through teams of physicians and nurse practitioners. The act is significant for primary care as it is the first federal legislation to allow third-party reimbursement directly to nurses practicing in expanded roles.
