Bill > AB1591

This bill establishes the California Podiatric Pipeline Program, administered by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (DHCAI), to encourage California residents to pursue careers in podiatric medicine, which is a type of medical practice focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and injuries of the foot, ankle, and related structures. The program aims to address a shortage of podiatric doctors, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by creating partnerships between undergraduate institutions and California's two accredited podiatric medical schools, offering mentorship, outreach, and clinical shadowing opportunities, and establishing a structured pathway for early admission consideration for eligible students, with a priority for recruiting from underrepresented communities. The DHCAI can use funds from the Health Professions Education Fund for this program and may award grants to participating universities and colleges to support its implementation, and the department is required to report annually to the Legislature on program participation, student matriculation into podiatric medical programs, and recommendations for expanding residency opportunities for podiatric graduates.

Health and Social Services

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB1591