SB14-144 Summary

• Extends the Commission on Family Medicine's authority to support development and maintenance of family medicine residency programs in rural and other underserved areas of Colorado through July 1, 2016.

• Requires the Commission to submit annual reports by November 1st to the Office of State Planning and Budgeting and Department of Health Care Policy and Financing concerning rural family medicine residency programs and the Commission's supporting role.

• Mandates completion of a study by March 1, 2015 evaluating family medicine residency programs, including workforce data collection systems, graduate medical education needs, federal and state funding strategies, physician retention monitoring, and loan repayment program effectiveness.

• Appropriates $150,000 for fiscal year 2014-2015 ($75,000 general fund, $75,000 federal funds) while reducing existing appropriations by $75,000, creating a net increase of $75,000 for program implementation.

• Act takes effect August 6, 2014, unless subject to referendum petition requiring approval by voters in November 2014 general election.