Establishes an emergency medicine grant program at UH medical school to attract medical students to practice emergency medicine in Hawaii health care facilities. Requires a commitment of seven years of service in emergency room care in Hawaii in exchange for the full-tuition grant.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. In January 2004, the American Medical Association expressed concern over the shortage of physicians, both now and in the future. Medical schools are graduating the same number of students as they have in the past; however, the population is growing at a much faster rate. The shortage is also caused by an aging population needing more medical care, and international medical students having problems obtaining visas. Further, a shortage of primary care physicians causes many to go to the emergency room for non-acute care.

The trend of receiving non-acute treatment in the emergency room is leading to a shortage of emergency medicine physicians who can handle the demand. Non-emergency medicine physicians who are willing to take emergency room calls are becoming scarce due to a desire by many physicians to have more regular hours. In addition, many emergency medicine and other specialized physicians do not want to work on an on-call basis.

The legislature believes that if Hawaii’s health care industry is to continue providing high quality emergency health services to the residents of the State, it is imperative that an increase is spurred in the emergency medicine physician workforce through the recruitment and retention of sufficient numbers of qualified men and women in the emergency medicine profession.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a full-tuition emergency medicine grant program at UH medical school as an incentive to increase the number of medical students who choose to focus on emergency medicine, enter residencies in emergency care, and practice emergency care in Hawaii for seven years after their education and training programs are completed.

SECTION 2. Chapter 304, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding four new sections to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§304-   Emergency medicine grant program; established. (a) The school of medicine of the University of Hawaii shall establish a grant program to be known as the emergency medicine grant program.

(b) The medical school may provide grants to eligible medical students accepted for enrollment. Grants shall only be for the amounts set forth in section    -2(a) and shall only be used for tuition, books, and other required fees.

(c) To receive a grant under this section, a student shall meet all of the following requirements:

(d) A student shall apply to the medical school, and include all information and documentation required by the medical school. The application shall include a verified statement of grade point average from the appropriate approved undergraduate educational institution.

(e) The residency and employment requirement under subsection (c)(4)(B) shall begin after the receipt of medical doctorate degree.

(f) If a student terminates enrollment at the medical school during the academic year or prior to completion of the approved course of study, the student shall notify the medical school in writing and shall return all unused portions of the grant. Returned amounts shall be used to fund other grants under this section.

(g) Grants awarded under the program shall be limited to funds appropriated for the purpose or funds otherwise matched by third parties.

§   -2 Grants; emergency care programs. (a) The medical school shall award one or more grants in an amount of full tuition and fees per academic year to students enrolled full-time in the medical school pursuing a degree in medicine with a focus on emergency medicine.

(b) A grant shall be awarded beginning no earlier than the first academic year of enrollment in the medical school. The grant shall be for a maximum of four academic years or for up to five academic years if the student is enrolled in an approved course of study that, according to the medical school, requires five academic years to complete. To permit renewals beyond four years, the medical school shall determine that the student is making satisfactory progress toward completing a degree.

(c) A student who accepts a grant under this section shall complete a program in medicine at the university, be accepted in a residency program, and contract with an employer located in this State. The student shall comply with any conditions placed upon the grant by the medical school. Proof of completion of the residency requirement and employment at a medical facility in this State shall be submitted to the medical school, unless otherwise authorized by the medical school.

§   -3 Program administration. (a) The medical school shall monitor and verify a student’s fulfillment of all academic and residency requirements under this section.

(b) The medical school shall enforce repayment of all grants for a student who does not comply with this section. Repayment shall include the use of all lawful collection procedures and the use of private collection agencies.

(c) Grants received by a student from the program shall not be considered taxable income under chapter 235.

(d) Grants received by a student from the program shall not be considered financial assistance.

(e) The grant shall be paid by appropriation from the general fund and from funds allocated to the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.

(f) Any person who knowingly or intentionally procures, obtains, or aids another to procure or obtain a grant under this chapter through fraudulent means shall be disqualified from participation in the program and shall be liable to the medical school for an amount equal to three times the amount obtained.

(g) Any appeal under this chapter shall be subject to chapter 91.

§   -4 Annual report. (a) The medical school shall publish a report by September 1, 2006, and every year thereafter. The report shall include information regarding the operation of the program to include:

(b) The annual report shall be submitted to the governor and the legislature."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.