Sec. 2. Grants to States for scholarship programs
883 words·~4 min read·
/bill/113/hr/5458/ih/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Subpart III of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254l et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: The Secretary shall award grants to eligible States to enable such States to implement scholarship programs to ensure, with respect to the provision of health services, an adequate supply of physicians, dentists, behavioral and mental health professionals, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and pharmacists or other health profession as determined by the Secretary.
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall submit to the Secretary an application containing such information as the Secretary determines necessary to carry out this section. To be eligible to participate in a scholarship program carried out with a grant received under this section, an individual shall— be accepted for enrollment, or be enrolled, as a full-time student— in an accredited (as determined by the Secretary) educational institution in a State; and in a course of study or program, offered by such institution and approved by the Secretary, leading to a degree in medicine, dentistry, school of pharmacy, other health profession designated by the Secretary, nursing college, or an appropriate degree from a graduate program of behavioral and mental health; submit to the State, an application to participate in the program; and sign and submit to the State, at the time of the submission of the application under paragraph (2), a written contract that requires the individual to— accept payments under the scholarship; maintain a minimum level of academic standing during the period of the scholarship, as determined by the Secretary; if applicable, complete an accredited residency training program; become licensed in the applicant’s State of residence; and serve as a provider for 1 year in— a health professional shortage area (as defined by the National Health Service Corps under section 332); a medically underserved area (as defined for purposes of section 330); or any other shortage area defined by the State and approved by the Secretary; in the applicant's State of residence for every year in which the applicant received a scholarship.
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a State shall adequately demonstrate to the Secretary that the State has designated appropriate health professions or specialty shortage areas. In disseminating application and contract forms to individuals desiring to participate in a scholarship program funded under this section, the State shall include with such forms a summary of the rights and liabilities of an individual whose application is approved (and whose contract is accepted), including a clear explanation of the damages to which the State is entitled in the case of the individual’s breach of the contract.
A State that enters into a contract with an individual under subsection (c)(3) shall, with respect to the program in which the individual is enrolled, agree to pay— all tuition and costs associated with the program; any other reasonable educational expenses, including fees, books, and laboratory expenses, related to the program; and a cost-of-living stipend in an amount to be determined the Secretary. In entering into contracts with individuals that meet the requirements of subsection (c), the State shall consider the extent of the applicant's demonstrated interest in the provision of care services in a particular provider shortage area.
A State receiving a grant under this section shall, with respect to the costs of making payments on behalf of individuals under the scholarship program implemented by the State under the grant, make available (directly or through donations from public or private entities) non-Federal contributions in cash toward such costs in an amount equal to not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds provided under the grant. The scholarship program of any State receiving a grant under this section shall be administered directly by a State agency.
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report concerning— the number of scholarships awarded under the State scholarship program; the number of scholarship recipients, broken down by practice area, serving in the profession originally awarded a scholarship for 1 year after the completion of the service period required under subsection (c)(3)(E); the number of scholarship recipients, broken down by provider type, practicing in an underserved area 1 year after the completion of the service period required under subsection (c)(3)(E); data on any changes in health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas within the State; remaining gaps in such health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas; the number of additional full-time physicians that would be required to eliminate such health professional shortage areas or medically underserved areas in the State; the number of individuals who received a scholarship but failed to comply with its requirements; the action taken by the State to recoup scholarship funds in the case of any non-compliance; and recommendations to improve the program under this section.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019. Not less than 50 percent of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under this subsection shall be used to provide scholarships to providers who intend on pursuing careers in primary care. .
Connectionstraces to 1
Traces to 1 document
Citation graph
cites case law
Sec. 2
Grants to States for scholarship programs
Cites 1Cited by 0 across 0 sources