Need For Rural Doctors Inspires Proposed Bill

The state of Arizona is upping the ante in its bid to attract medical professionals to rural areas that need them.  Under a bill, signed by Gov. Doug Ducey, the state is removing the $67,000 cap on repayment of student loans to doctors who go where they’re needed. 

The new legislation has no cap, according to state Sen. Gail Griffin who sponsors the bill, allowing more of a doctor’s loans to be paid, the longer they stay in those areas. 

“We always have extra challenges in getting good doctors and nurses and dentists and health care providers in rural Arizona . And so this is a good start to help with those challenges,” Griffin said.

A community health centers lobbyist says the average medical school grad starts practice with $170,000 in student loans, $240,000 for dental school grads. 

The program doesn’t just help rural parts of the state.  It will also help bring doctors to urban areas where they’re needed.