LA HB539

Establishes a loan repayment program through the Louisiana Department of Health for physician specialists (including internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, psychiatry, and emergency medicine) who are licensed and completed accredited residency programs

Provides up to $30,000 per year in loan repayments, with a maximum of $150,000 total, disbursed quarterly upon verification of loan payments

Requires recipients to commit to a 5-year service obligation working full-time (minimum 32 hours per week) in Louisiana providing clinical or surgical services, and to treat Medicaid and Medicare patients

Imposes repayment penalties for contract breach, including full repayment of assistance received, $7,500 per month of uncompleted service, plus judicial interest from the date of breach

Creates the Health Workforce Needs Fund in the state treasury to receive appropriations, federal funds, and private donations for program administration, with unexpended funds rolling over each fiscal year; effective July 1, 2025