Proposed rules for physician loan repayment program published

Proposed rules for the administration of Texas’ newly established physician education loan repayment program were published in the Texas Register on Aug. 21, 2009. The public has 30 days from that date to comment on the rules and based on those comments, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will consider implementing the rules at an upcoming meeting.

The 81st Texas Legislature passed H.B. 2154 by Rep. Al Edwards, D-Houston, and Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, creating the loan repayment program, which will pay up to $160,000 to cover educational loans for primary care physicians who agree to practice for four years in a health professional shortage area. The program is expected to bring as many as 225 physicians each year to underserved communities throughout the state.

The proposed rules contain eligibility criteria, details on how the money will be distributed and practice requirements physicians in the program must meet. Download a copy of the proposed rules as a PDF and submit comments to:

Dan Weaver
P.O. Box 12788
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 427-6165
dan.weaver@thecb.state.tx.us.

The comment period should extend to Sept. 20, 2009. For a list of counties and ZIP codes currently designated as health professional shortage areas, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Web site.