SB210 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Larry StuttsSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

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

SB 210 would create the Alabama Physician Initiative to fund tuition scholarships for Alabama medical students who commit to practicing family medicine in rural or underserved areas after residency, managed by the Alabama Medical Education Consortium and funded by the Department of Public Health.

What This Bill Does

The program phases in up to 100 scholarships per year (starting with 25 in 2018-2019, with a cap of 100 participants at a time and phase-down beginning in 2022). Scholarships cover tuition for medical students at Alabama colleges of medicine and cannot replace other financial aid. Participants must sign a service contract to complete family medicine residency (preferably in Alabama) and then practice in designated rural or primary care shortage areas in Alabama for five years. The Alabama Medical Education Consortium contracts with colleges to administer funds and must report annually to the Legislature; failure to meet terms requires repayment of funds with interest.

Who It Affects

• Medical students enrolled in Alabama colleges of medicine who participate in the program and may receive tuition scholarship funds
• Rural and underserved communities in Alabama that would gain more practicing family physicians after program completion

Key Provisions

• Establishes the Alabama Physician Initiative and defines key terms (consortium, family medicine, service contract, etc.).
• Phases in up to 100 scholarships per year, starting with 25 in 2018-2019, with a maximum of 100 participants at any time and a phase-down beginning in 2022.
• Scholarship funds are strictly for tuition and may not reduce other forms of financial aid.
• Selection process allows up to 25 incoming first-year students per participating college per year, with a cap of 100 participants overall; participants must pursue a family medicine track and sign a service contract.
• Residency and service obligation require completing a family medicine residency (preferably in Alabama) and practicing in Alabama in a primary care shortage area for five years after residency.
• Noncompliance requires repayment of all scholarship funds with interest as specified in the contract.
• Funding comes from legislative appropriation through the State Department of Public Health; the consortium must annualy report and request funding to the Legislature.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

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