HI SB2597

Appropriates $500,000 from general revenues for fiscal year 2022-2023 to fund the Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program administered through the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Provides loan repayment assistance to health care professionals (physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and registered nurses) who commit to work in federally-designated health professional shortage areas.

Requires dollar-for-dollar matching of state funds from private or other public sources before any appropriated funds are released.

Aims to address shortages of primary and behavioral health care professionals in medically underserved areas of Hawaii by reducing the financial burden of student loan debt and incentivizing practice in underserved communities.

Effective July 1, 2022.