Bill > H1056

This bill establishes a student loan repayment program administered by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Public Health, to encourage licensed physicians, physician's assistants, and nurse practitioners to practice in underserved rural communities within the state. To qualify, individuals must agree to practice full-time in a designated rural community for ten years, and the program will repay up to $1,000 per month of their qualified education loans, which are defined as debts incurred for tuition and direct educational expenses, excluding loans from relatives. Underserved rural communities are defined as those with fewer than 7,500 residents and located at least ten miles from a municipality of 45,000 or more residents, with additional considerations for the existing healthcare workforce, economic development, demographics, and proximity to other health facilities. The program is limited to twenty participants per year, with a requirement for participants to repay any received funds if they breach their agreement, and the bill allocates an initial $1,000,000 appropriation to establish the program, which will also include an affirmative action policy and annual reporting on its progress.