Bill No.: SF0023                  Drafter:  JWL

 

LSO No.:  05LSO-0183              Effective Date:  7/1/2005

 

Enrolled Act No.:  SEA0059

 

Chapter No.:       148

 

Prime Sponsor:     Senator Massie

 

Catch Title:       Health care education.

 

Subject:  Amends eligibility requirements under the physician/dentist loan repayment program and the allied health care provider loan repayment program.

 

Summary/Major Elements:

 

·        Current law authorizes the state to pay student loans on behalf of health care providers who agree to accept patients in underserved areas of the state and to accept patients qualified under Medicaid and the child health insurance program.  In addition, participants are prohibited from discriminating against Medicare patients.

 

·        This act:

 

o       Removes the prohibition against discrimination and replaces it with an affirmative requirement that participants accept Medicare patients;

 

o       Repeals redundant language requiring the department of health to determine underserved areas and specialty practice shortages;

 

o       Clarifies the department's discretion to vary agreements with participating providers based on the number of the provider's patients whose care is reimbursed under Medicare, the child health insurance program or Medicaid.