Bill > HB659

This bill expands Georgia's medical professional rural assistance program to include optometrists alongside existing healthcare professionals like physicians, dentists, physician assistants, and advanced practice registered nurses. The legislation modifies several sections of the state code to allow optometrists to qualify for service cancelable loans, grants, and other recruitment incentives designed to address healthcare provider shortages in rural areas. Specifically, the bill allows optometrists to receive loans to help repay their educational expenses in exchange for practicing in underserved rural Georgia communities, enables hospitals and local organizations to receive grants to recruit optometrists, and permits the Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce to consider optometrists when determining loan and scholarship priorities. The bill's goal is to enhance healthcare access in rural regions by providing financial incentives that encourage optometrists to practice in areas with limited medical resources, using criteria such as population-to-provider ratios, community health status, poverty levels, and community support to identify underserved areas. By adding optometrists to this existing program, the legislation aims to diversify and expand the healthcare workforce in rural Georgia communities.

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70938