HB 0677

CHAPTER 232

HB 677-FN - FINAL VERSION

AN ACT increasing the number of reserved student slots in medical programs, establishing a reduction of medical indebtedness program for physicians who practice in underserved areas, and making an appropriation therefor.

SPONSORS: Rep. S. Harris, Sull 22; Rep. Chandler, Carr 4; Rep. Weyler, Rock 79; Rep. Sokol, Graf 17; Rep. Batula, Hills 58; Sen. O'Hearn, Dist 12; Sen. Roberge, Dist 9; Sen. Martel, Dist 18; Sen. Odell, Dist 8

I. Increases from 5 to 20 the number of preferred access seats for New Hampshire residents seeking to attend medical school; and

II. Allows individuals who have completed their medical education to reduce their outstanding medical education loan indebtedness for each year of practice in a medically underserved area of the state.

This bill is a request of the study committee established in 2002, 37 (HB 1131).

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Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

232:1 Community Benefits; Definitions. Amend RSA 7:32-d, III(e) to read as follows:

(e) Support of medical research and education and training of health care practitioners, including the pooling of funds by different health care charitable trusts for this purpose.

232:2 Veterinary/Medical/Optometric Education Program. Amend RSA 200-J:2, II to read as follows:

II. The governor is authorized to enter into an agreement on behalf of the state with Dartmouth medical school and other medical schools for the purpose of providing allopathic and osteopathic medical education to qualified New Hampshire residents.

232:3 Veterinary/Medical/Optometric; Agreements Authorized. Amend RSA 200-J:2, IV to read as follows:

IV. The contracts provided for in paragraphs I, II, and III of this section shall provide for the enrollment of not more than 5 students each for veterinary[~~, medical~~] and optometric school for each class year, and not more than 20 students for medical school for each class year. An appropriate sum shall be paid yearly for each student so enrolled. The actual amount paid per student shall be subject to the amount appropriated each biennium for this purpose by the general court and the specific contract negotiated with each institution by the postsecondary education commission.

232:4 Veterinary/Medical/Optometric; Agreements Authorized. Amend RSA 200-J:2, VII to read as follows:

VII. A total of not more than [5] 20 students for each class year may be enrolled in all schools which contract to provide allopathic and osteopathic medical education.

232:5 New Paragraph; Veterinary/Medical/Optometric; Agreements Authorized. Amend RSA 200-J:2 by inserting after paragraph X the following new paragraph:

XI. In this chapter, "New Hampshire resident" shall include any student who graduated from a New Hampshire high school in the past 6 years.

232:6 Veterinary/Medical Education Loan Program; Reduction of Medical Education Indebtedness. Amend RSA 200-I:5 to read as follows:

I. The commissioner of administrative services may, in case of hardship, death, or other extenuating circumstances, with the approval of the fiscal committee of the general court provided for in RSA 14:30-a, extend or forgive such individual accounts as may be brought to his or her attention.

II.(a) Individuals who have completed their medical education, including internships and residencies, and practice in a medically underserved area of the state, may reduce their medical education loan indebtedness by up to $20,000 for each year of practice in such area for a maximum of 2 years, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph.

(b) Individuals eligible under this paragraph shall submit a certification of practice form, made available by the commissioner of the department of health and human services, for each year of practice in a medically underserved area.

(c) The commissioner of the department of health and human services shall adopt rules, pursuant to RSA 541-A, relative to application procedures and designating medically underserved areas in this state.

(d) Funds available in the department of health and human services, office of community and public health, and any community benefits matching or pooled funds which become available pursuant to RSA 7:32-c through 7:32-l, may be used to extend the reduction of medical education indebtedness program under this paragraph.