Health: occupations; Michigan essential health provider recruitment strategy; expand to include midwives. Amends secs. 2701, 2705, 2709 & 2723 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.2701 et seq.).

This bill expands Michigan's Essential Health Provider Repayment Program to include midwives alongside other healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and dentists. By adding midwives to the list of eligible "designated professionals," the legislation allows them to receive loan repayments or expense reimbursements if they agree to work full-time in designated health resource shortage areas. The key mechanism involves a contractual agreement where the state repays a portion of the professional's education debt or training costs in exchange for a service commitment that matches the repayment amount or lasts for at least two years. This change aims to incentivize midwives to practice in underserved communities to help address local healthcare needs.