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SF4118 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Health professional education loan forgiveness program for physicians licensed to practice medicine in the area of obstetrics and gynecology appropriation

Related bill: HF4500

AI Generated Summary

Purpose

  • The bill would provide a general-fund appropriation for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to fund the Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program. The funds would be used to forgive education loans for physicians who are licensed to practice medicine in the area of obstetrics and gynecology and who provide care in a designated rural area.

Main Provisions

  • Funding source and use: Money from the general fund is appropriated to the commissioner of health for the Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program, limited to loan forgiveness for eligible obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) physicians practicing in designated rural areas.
  • Override of usual rules: For fiscal years 2027 and 2028, the bill overrides the normal priorities and distribution requirements in Minnesota Statutes section 144.1501.
  • Eligibility: Only OB-GYN physicians who are licensed to practice medicine and who work in a designated rural area (as defined by statute) are eligible for loan forgiveness under this appropriation.
  • Carryover if not enough applicants: If the commissioner of health does not receive enough qualified applicants within each biennium, any remaining funds must be carried over to the next biennium.
  • Reallocation of unused funds: Carried-over funds must be allocated proportionally among other eligible professions under Minnesota Statutes section 144.1501 subdivision 2, in accordance with those rules.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

  • Temporary change in 144.1501: The bill temporarily suspends or bypasses the standard priorities and distribution requirements of 144.1501 for fiscal years 2027 and 2028 to fund OB-GYN loan forgiveness in rural areas.
  • Special focus on OB-GYN in rural areas: Money is designated specifically for OB-GYN physicians in rural areas, rather than being distributed under the usual schedule.
  • Biennium carryover mechanism: Introduction of a carryover provision for unused funds, with a method to reallocate those funds to other eligible professions in proportion to their share under 144.1501 subdivision 2.

Relevant Terms

  • Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program
  • general fund
  • appropriation
  • physicians licensed to practice medicine
  • obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN)
  • designated rural area
  • rural
  • Minnesota Statutes section 144.1501
  • priorities and distribution requirements
  • fiscal year 2027
  • fiscal year 2028
  • biennium
  • Notwithstanding
  • subdivision 2
  • carry over / carried over
  • allocate proportionally
  • other eligible professions

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
March 04, 2026SenateActionIntroduction and first reading
March 04, 2026SenateActionReferred toHealth and Human Services

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This bill references Minnesota Statutes 144.1501 to authorize a general-fund appropriation for the Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program for physicians licensed to practice obstetrics and gynecology in designated rural areas for fiscal years 2027 and 2028.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144.1501",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [],
      "removed": [],
      "summary": "This clause relies on Minnesota Statutes 144.1501 subdivision 2, paragraph b, by stating that if the commissioner of health does not receive enough qualified applicants within each biennium, any remaining funds must be carried over to the next biennium and allocated proportionally among other eligible professions in accordance with that statute.",
      "modified": []
    },
    "citation": "144.1501",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 2, paragraph b"
  }
]

Progress through the legislative process

17%
In Committee

Sponsors

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