Physicians and surgeons and registered nurses: loan repayment grants.

Existing law establishes within the Health Professions Education Foundation the California Physician Corps Program, which includes the Steven M. Thompson Medical School Scholarship Program. Existing law provides student loan repayments for a physician and surgeon who agrees, in writing, prior to completing an accredited medical or osteopathic school based in the United States, to serve in an eligible practice setting in a medically underserved area for at least 3 years. This bill would establish within the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development the Primary Care Student Loan Repayment Program to provide loan repayment awards of up to $50,000 to physicians and surgeons and registered nurses who provide 32 hours a week or more of direct care service for a period of 2 years in either a federally designated health professional shortage area (HPSA) or primary care shortage area (PCSA) in California. The bill would establish in the State Treasury the Primary Care Student Loan Repayment Program Fund, to be used, upon appropriation by the Legislature, by the office to administer the program.