Bill > LB312

This bill expands the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include nurse anesthetists and dietitian nutritionists as eligible professionals for student loans and loan repayment programs designed to address healthcare professional shortages in Nebraska. The bill modifies existing law to add these two professional categories to the list of healthcare providers who can receive financial assistance, including student loans up to $30,000 per academic year and loan repayments up to $15,000 per year for practicing in designated health profession shortage areas. The changes require recipients to be licensed in Nebraska, not enrolled in residency programs, and practice in underserved areas for at least three years. Notably, the bill also updates the state commission's responsibilities to periodically designate shortage areas to now include nurse anesthesia and dietitian nutritionist practices, and modifies loan repayment agreements to accommodate these new professional categories. The legislation aims to incentivize these healthcare professionals to work in rural or underserved regions of Nebraska by offering financial support for their education and early career practice.

Health and Social Services

https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59034