AB 178

This bill makes physicians and dentists who agree to practice in free or

charitable clinics eligible to participate in an educational loan assistance program

administered by the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System under

current law. The bill makes similar changes to an educational loan assistance

program for other health care professionals administered by the Board of Regents.

Physicians and dentists.

If a physician agrees to practice at least 32 clinic

hours per week for three years in a rural area or “eligible practice area,” as defined

under current law, the physician is eligible to have some of his or her educational

loans repaid. Up to $100,000 may be repaid for practice in a rural area and up to

$50,000 may be repaid for practice in an eligible practice area. Current law defines

an “eligible practice area” as a primary care or mental health shortage area, as

determined under federal law, an American Indian reservation, or trust land of an

American Indian tribe. Under current law, a dentist is eligible for repayment if he

or she agrees to practice at least 32 clinic hours per week for three years in a rural

area or dental health shortage area, as determined under federal law. Up to $50,000

may be repaid for practice in a rural area or dental health shortage area.

The bill amends the definition of “eligible practice area” so that it also includes

a free or charitable clinic. The bill also makes a dentist who practices in a free or

charitable clinic eligible for educational loan repayment. As a result, if a physician

or dentist agrees to practice at least 32 clinic hours per week for three years in a free

or charitable clinic, the physician or dentist is eligible to have up to $50,000 of his

or her educational loans repaid. The bill defines “free or charitable clinic” as a

safety-net health care organization that uses volunteers and staff to serve

economically disadvantaged individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or have

limited or no health care access. In addition, the organization must be exempt from

federal taxation or operate as a program component or affiliate of an organization

exempt from federal taxation. The organization must also provide services without

regard to a patient's ability to pay and charge either no fee or a nominal or sliding

fee for services.

Current law requires physicians and dentists who participate in the

educational loan assistance program to agree to care for patients who are insured or

receive health care benefits under governmental programs. The bill also requires

physicians and dentists to agree to care for patients who are uninsured or

underinsured. Current law also requires the Board of Regents to establish priorities

for repayments based on specified considerations if funding is not available to make

repayments to all applicants. Under the bill, if the Board of Regents determines that

a consideration does not apply to applicants who desire to practice in free or

charitable clinics, the Board of Regents must ensure that the priorities do not

disadvantage those applicants.