AK HB114

Establishes the Health Care Professionals Workforce Enhancement Program in the Department of Health and Social Services to address shortages of health care professionals in underserved or shortage areas through student loan repayments and direct incentive payments.

Creates three tiers of eligible health care professionals (Tier I: physicians, dentists, pharmacists; Tier II: nurses, physician assistants, therapists, counselors; Tier III: other eligible site employees) with a 12-year lifetime maximum participation limit.

Requires participating employers to make nonrefundable quarterly payments to the department, with amounts adjustable based on employer ability to pay and including a service fee.

Allows student loan repayment up to 33.3 percent of unpaid balance from first year of participation multiplied by full-time equivalent employment percentage, limited to three years; provides direct incentive payments as quarterly cash disbursements.

Establishes an advisory council with health care expertise to oversee the program, set payment amounts, designate eligible sites, and recommend prioritization; requires annual reporting on participation rates and program effects.