ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
primary care providers; loan
repayment
Increases, from two years to
four years, the length of time a participant must serve in either the primary care
provider loan repayment program or the rural private primary care provider loan
repayment program.
The primary care provider
loan repayment program repays educational loans for health professionals
(physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse midwives and dentists) who
contract with the state to work in public or nonprofit entities located in
federally designated health professional shortage areas. Federal health professional shortage areas
(HPSAs) are based on recommendations from state health departments and are
designated by geographic areas, specific population groups or specific
facilities. This program is supported
by state general fund revenue and matching federal funds. Currently, there are 12 active participants
in the program and 3 pending applications.
The rural private primary
care provider loan repayment program is a separate loan repayment program for
health professionals (physicians, physician assistants, nurses, nurse midwives
and dentists) who provide sliding fee scale health care services in medically
underserved areas to medically uninsured individuals in families with income
below 200 percent of the federal poverty level ($34,100 for a household of
four). Applicants who agree to serve in
rural areas are given a preference. In
addition, the Department of Health Services (DHS) designates certain geographic
areas as Arizona medically underserved areas.
Currently, there are 15 participants in this program.
Under both programs,
repayment of loans for eligible physicians and dentists is limited to $20,000
for each of the first two years of service, $22,000 for the third year and
$25,000 for the fourth. Mid-level
service providers are limited to $7,500 for each year of service.
According to DHS, there is
no cost to the state general fund associated with the provisions of this
measure.
1. Increases, from two years to four years, the length of time a participant must serve in either the primary care provider loan repayment program or the rural private primary care provider loan repayment program.
2. Increases, from two years to four years, the maximum number of years a physician or dentist may apply for additional contracts under both loan repayment programs.
3. Makes conforming changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
January 26, 2001