ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
primary care providers;
loan repayment
(NOW: loan repayment; primary
care providers)
Allows a mid-level service provider to serve for more than two years under a contract for either the primary care provider loan repayment program or the rural primary care provider loan repayment program, and specifies the maximum loan repayment program amounts for each year of service by a mid-level service provider.
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 (AzMUAs). 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. The strike everything amendment to S.B. 1209 allows mid-level service providers to serve for more than two years under the initial contract for either of these programs and specifies the maximum amounts for loan repayment in the third and fourth years of a mid-level service provider’s contract.
According to DHS, there are no additional costs for these programs associated with the provisions of this amendment.
1. Allows mid-level service providers to serve more than two years in an original contract under either the primary care provider loan repayment program or the rural private primary care provider loan repayment program.
2. Establishes maximum loan repayment amounts for the third and fourth years of service for mid-level service providers.
3. Contains conforming changes.
4. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments
Adopted by Health Committee
The strike everything amendment was adopted.
Senate Action
HEA 2/6/01 DPA 6-0-2-0
3rd Read 2/19/01 28-0-2-0
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 7, 2001