AR HB1841

Establishes the Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan and Scholarship fund within the Department of Higher Education, administered by a newly created board composed of representatives from osteopathic medical schools, the Arkansas Osteopathic Medical Association, physicians, and hospitals.

Provides loans up to $16,500 per academic year to Arkansas residents enrolled in osteopathic medical schools, with loans converted to scholarships for each year of full-time primary care practice in qualified rural communities following internship and training.

Creates the Community Match Rural Physician Recruitment Program offering income incentives up to $80,000 (50% state funded, 50% community funded) to osteopathic medical school graduates who commit to four years of primary care practice in designated rural communities.

Requires loan recipients to practice primary care medicine full-time in medically underserved rural communities, with medical license suspension possible for contract breaches; allows case-by-case waiver of residency requirements and negotiated settlements.

Establishes an administrator position within the Department of Higher Education to serve as liaison between loan recipients and rural communities, track program data, and prepare annual evaluations; becomes effective July 1, 2019.