NY A04697

Creates a state-funded residency program initiative providing 50 residency positions for physicians who agree to work in medically underserved areas of New York

Requires physician applicants to be New York residents who failed to match through the national resident matching program and either graduated from a NY accredited medical school (passing USMLE steps 1 and 2) or be certified by the education commission for foreign medical graduates

Physicians must sign a contract committing to work for a minimum of 5 years in a department-approved medically underserved location that accepts Medicaid and Medicare upon completing their residency

Physicians who fail to complete their residency or the 5-year service requirement must repay the state for the cost of their residency, though the commissioner may waive or modify repayment for compelling need or hardship

Appropriates $5 million from the general fund to the Department of Health to implement the program, taking effect 180 days after becoming law