HB 78 Creates Loan Repayment & Incentive Program

(Juneau) – The Alaska House of Representatives yesterday unanimously passed a bill increasing Alaskan’s access to basic health care.

House Bill 78, by Representative Bob Herron, creates the Alaska Health Care Professionals Loan Repayment & Incentive Program to attract new graduates or mid-career professionals to the state, reducing the worker shortage by filing vacant health care provider positions throughout the state. The program has two possible tracks for participants: loan repayment or a direct cash incentive, which is only used by a few other states, and will give Alaska an edge when it comes to recruitment, Herron said.

Alaska is one of four states that does not have its own state-supported program. Herron said that many graduates interviewing for jobs in our health centers ask if a loan repayment program exists, and often times head elsewhere when they hear that we don’t offer one.

“Other health workforce support exists but, on its own, it is not enough,” Herron, D-Bethel, said. “It is critical that we promptly address Alaska’s healthcare workforce shortage in order to ensure that all Alaskans have meaningful access to the basic health care they need and deserve.”

The proposed program would support 90 participants a year and spread across 10 different essential shortage areas including dentists, pharmacists, physicians, dental hygienists, registered nurses, advanced nurse practitioners, physician assistants, physical therapists, clinical psychologists, and Master’s level or higher clinical social worker.

“HB 78 is not an answer to all of our state’s health care needs, but it is a critical, measureable step – one that we can take right now, and one that is guarantees to show great returns for a relatively small investment,” Herron said.

HB 78 now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.

Source: Office of Representative Bob Herron