MS HB1120

Establishes the Rural Physician Recruitment and Retention Incentive Grant Program providing $500,000 in grants ($100,000 upfront plus $100,000 annually for four years) to physicians committing to five continuous years of full-time primary care practice in rural or medically underserved communities designated by the State Department of Health.

Limits participation to physicians licensed in Mississippi who establish practices after July 1, 2011, with a maximum of 10 grants awarded per year based on available funding and community need priority.

Requires grant recipients to contract for five continuous years of service, serve a proportionate share of Medicaid patients, work within the existing health care system, and maintain minimum 40 office hours weekly.

Obligates recipients who fail to complete five continuous years of service to repay all grant amounts plus interest (maximum Mississippi law rate or federal discount rate plus 5%, whichever is less), except during involuntary active military duty.

Directs the State Department of Health to administer the program with input from medical associations and establishes July 1, 2016 as the program's sunset date.