Many of you may recall the expansion of the State Loan Repayment Program back in February 2015 when the Governor signed Senate Bill 1194. The bill enhanced the program by expanding the types of providers who can receive loan repayment assistance, increasing the award amounts that eligible providers may receive and removing the four-year service cap.
When the law became effective in July 2015 behavioral health providers, pharmacists and geriatrics were added to the list of then eligible providers such as primary care physicians, dentists and advanced practice providers like nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nurse midwives. The new law makes up to $65,000 available for physicians and dentists for a two-year commitment and up to $50,000 for advanced practice providers, pharmacists and behavioral health providers. The bill authorized ADHS to engage in exempt rulemaking for the program.
The final draft rules are now posted online for a 30-day public comment period until March 22, with them anticipated to be effective April 1. The final draft rules include changes to the prioritization process in which providers are going to be selected for state loan repayment program participation and loan repayment awards, payment structure and other changes as required by state and federal law. If you want to learn more about these upcoming changes, please attend one of the webinar sessions.
Cara M. Christ, M.D., M.S. became Director for the Arizona Department of Health Services in May 2015. Dr. Christ has served the agency for more than nine years. Among her many accomplishments at ADHS, Dr. Christ collaborated with health partners and stakeholders to develop strategic plans for infectious disease prevention and control including the Governor’s Council on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. She was involved in leading statewide efforts during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, and worked with partners to find solutions to improve childhood vaccination programs. In 2012, Dr. Christ managed the development and implementation of 20 Articles of Arizona Administrative Code for Health Care Institutions allowing integration of physical and behavioral health services statewide. Dr. Christ obtained her master's degree in microbiology with an emphasis in molecular virology and public health. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Follow the Director on Twitter @DrCaraChrist.
Leave A Comment