ARC 5855C

ARC 5855C

COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION[283]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to health care professional recruitment program and providing an opportunity for public comment

The College Student Aid Commission hereby proposes to amend Chapter 14, "Health Care Professional Recruitment Program," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 261.3.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code chapter 261 and 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 196.

Purpose and Summary

These proposed amendments implement changes enacted by 2021 Iowa Acts, House File 196. House File 196 expands loan repayment eligibility to health professionals who graduate from Iowa Regents universities and Iowa private colleges and universities, and who agree to practice in rural Iowa. In addition, House File 196 includes athletic trainers and occupational therapists as eligible health care professionals.

This proposed rule making also includes a definition of "eligible rural community," a term that is consistently used in programs administered by the Commission; implements criteria to prioritize awards in the event that funding is not sufficient to award all new applicants; and ensures that recipients do not receive awards in other loan repayment programs administered by the Commission.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Commission for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 283—Chapter 7.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written or oral comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written or oral comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Commission no later than 4:30 p.m. on August 31, 2021. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

No public hearing is scheduled at this time. As provided in Iowa Code section 17A.4(1)"b," an oral presentation regarding this rule making may be demanded by 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, the Administrative Rules Review Committee, an agency, or an association having 25 or more members.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making actions are proposed:

Item 1. Rescind 283—Chapter 14, preamble.

Item 2. Amend rule 283—14.1(261), definitions of "Eligible rural community" and "Health care professional," as follows:

"Eligible rural community" means a medically underserved rural Iowa community which agrees to match state funds on at least a dollar-for-dollar basis for the loan repayment of a health care professional who practices in the community city with a population of less than 26,000 that is located more than 20 miles from a city with a population of 50,000 or more. Locations and distances between cities will be consistently measured and verified by calculating the shortest travel distance on paved roads.

"Health care professional" means an individual who holds a practitioner's license issued by an agency or board under the Iowa department of public health and is employed as a an athletic trainer, occupational therapist, physician, physician assistant, podiatrist, or physical therapist.

Item 3. Adopt the following new definitions of "Eligible institution" and "Matching funds" in rule 283—14.1(261):

"Eligible institution" means an institution of higher learning governed by the state board of regents or an accredited private institution as defined in Iowa Code section 261.9. Eligible institutions seeking to participate must complete an application provided by the commission and agree to place health care professionals in eligible rural communities.

"Matching funds" means at least a dollar-for-dollar loan repayment match to the state health care professional recruitment program award.

Item 4. Amend rule 283—14.2(261) as follows:

283—14.2(261) Health care professional loan repayment program.

14.2(1) Recruitment. The university eligible institution shall recruit and place health care professionals in eligible rural communities that agree to provide matching funds for communicate the availability of the health care professional loan repayment program to current students training to become health care professionals and alumni who are health care professionals. The commission will ensure, to the extent possible, that an equal number of new agreements are available to health care professionals in each occupation category. Selection of new applicants within each occupation category will be prioritized as follows:

a. Students in their final year of a degree program leading to a license to practice as a health care professional;

b. The most recent graduates of a degree program leading to a license to practice as a health care professional, with the most recent academic year graduates given priority;

c. Date of application.

14.2(2) Health care professional service requirement. The health care professional service requirement for the health care professional loan repayment program is four years. The health care professional must annually verify, in a format acceptable to the commission, that the health care professional practiced in an eligible rural community for 12 consecutive months for each year of required service. An award will be prorated based on the months of service provided in a state fiscal year if less than 12 months. An award will also be prorated if the individual is employed on a less than full-time basis.

14.2(3) Award. The health care professional may receive up to $50,000 in state-funded repayment benefits when a an eligible rural community agrees to fund matching benefits provide matching funds of an equal or greater amount. At least a dollar-for-dollar match must be provided. Matching funds from an eligible rural community totaling less than $50,000 will result in an equally lower state health care professional recruitment program award.

14.2(4) and 14.2(5) No change.

14.2(6) Restrictions. A recipient of a loan repayment award under Iowa Code section 261.113, 261.114, or 261.115 shall not be eligible for an award under this chapter. A health care professional who is in default on a Stafford loan, SLS loan, Grad PLUS loan, or a Perkins/National Direct/National Defense student loan or who owes a repayment on any Title IV grant assistance or state award shall be ineligible for repayment benefits. Eligibility for state aid may be reinstated upon payment in full of the delinquent obligation or by commission ruling on the basis of adequate extenuating evidence presented in appeal under the procedures set forth in 283—Chapter 5, Iowa Administrative Code.

14.2(7) No change.