HB438 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Physician Initiative, phase in provision of 100 scholarships per year, scholarships for students who commit to practice family medicine in underserved areas of state, AL. Medical Education Consortium to administer, Dept. of Public Health to fund

Summary

HB438 would create the Alabama Physician Initiative to provide tuition scholarships for medical students in Alabama who commit to practicing family medicine in rural, high-need areas for five years after residency, funded by the State Department of Public Health and administered by the Alabama Medical Education Consortium.

What This Bill Does

It establishes a scholarship program for medical students at Alabama colleges of medicine and phases in up to 100 scholarships overall, starting with 25 in 2017-2018. Scholarship funds cover tuition and require signing a service contract to practice family medicine in Alabama for five years after residency, in designated rural or primary care shortage areas. The Alabama Medical Education Consortium administers the program in partnership with participating colleges, handles placement, and can require residency in Alabama; repayment with interest is required if the terms are not met. Funding comes from legislative appropriations through the State Department of Public Health, with annual reporting to the Legislature.

Who It Affects

• Medical students enrolled in Alabama colleges of medicine who may receive scholarships and must commit to five years of practicing family medicine in Alabama after residency.
• Rural or primary care shortage areas in Alabama that would gain physicians after residents complete training and fulfill their service contracts.

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Physician Initiative and a scholarship program administered by the Alabama Medical Education Consortium, funded through the State Department of Public Health, phased to provide up to 100 scholarships with 25 awarded in 2017-2018 and phased down to 2021.
• Requires service contracts for recipients to complete five years of family medicine practice in Alabama after residency; residency in Alabama is preferred; location is determined by the consortium based on state needs; failure to comply requires repayment of scholarship funds plus interest.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Physician Initiative