Bill No.: HB0155                  Drafter:  JHR

LSO No.:  08LSO-0393              Effective Date:

Enrolled Act No.:

Chapter No.:

Prime Sponsor:     Representative Lubnau

Catch Title:       Recruitment of physicians and dentists.

Subject: Creates a physician recruitment program as specified.

Summary/Major Elements:

· This bill:

· Creates a physician recruitment program and account to be administered by the Department of Health (WDH);

· Authorizes the WDH to solicit applications from hospitals, private physicians and others seeking to recruit physicians, with priority given to need based on geographic area, then by need within the area;

· Authorizes 1 year grants for physician recruitment, allowing the recruiter to make firm offers with financial incentives to qualifying out-of-state physicians subject to written agreements;

· Provides financial incentives (recruitment costs up to $10,000; relocation costs up to $20,000; malpractice insurance premiums up to $10,000/year for 2 years; signing bonuses up to $30,000) for recruitment of physicians who sign 2 year agreements to serve specified populations within the community to which recruited;

· Requires repayment of grants with interest for failure to fulfill the terms of the written agreement;

· Repeals a local matching funds requirement for the physician and dentist loan repayment program;

· Requires rulemaking by the WDH.

Comments:

· Creates/amends major program ¾ Creates a physician recruitment program.

Note:

· Final action on this bill was not taken at the time this summary was prepared.  Should changes be made to the bill upon final passage, an updated summary will be transmitted to all legislators.