On behalf of the community health centers providing primary health care services in medically underserved areas, the Association supports this program. At this time, we have no recommendations for changes to the regulations governing the program. This and similar programs, assist greatly in applying for federal funding to provide health care services to underserved areas, particularly rural areas.

We ask the state to consider creating programs specific to these areas at the state level, such as physician residency programs, nursing programs, increasing funding for loan repayment programs, and developing pipelines to encourage young persons to pursue careers in healthcare and to remain or return to these areas.

Doing so would be a significant development for the economies of these areas, creating jobs in underserved, economically challenged areas, as well as improving access to primary health care services, and as a tool for assisting in recruiting and retaining physicians, dentists and other health providers to practice and live in MUAs.