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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022)
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
HOUSE BILL NO. 4450 By: Wallace and Martinez of the
House
and
Thompson and Hall of the
Senate
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
An Act relating to health care workforce development;
creating the Health Care Workforce Development and
Finance Act of 2022; creating the Health Care
Workforce Development Revolving Fund; establishing
nature of fund; establ ishing funding sources;
authorizing fund utilization for certain purposes;
declaring funds appropriated; limiting budgeting and
expenditure authority; requiring certain budgeti ng
and expenditure procedure s; requiring budgeting and
expenditure of funds by certain dates; amending 63
O.S. 2021, Sections 1-2721, 1-2722, and 1-2723, which
relate to the Oklahoma Medical Loa n Repayment
Program; renaming certain agency of the state;
amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section s 625.1, 625.2, 625.3,
625.4, 625.4a, 625.9, 625.10a, 625.11, 625.13, and
625.14, which relate to the Oklahoma Rural Medical
Education Loan and Scholarship Fun d; renaming certain
agency of the state; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Section s
697.1, 697.2, 697.3, 697.5, 697.6, 697.7, 697.8,
697.9, 697.10, 697.11, 697.12, 697.15, 697.16,
697.17, 697.18, 697.19, 697.20, 697.21, and 697.21a,
which relate to the P hysician Manpower Training
Commission; renaming certain agency of the state;
expanding board membership ; establishing eligibility
requirements for certain appointments; placing
certain positions in the uncla ssified service after
certain date under certain condition ; providing for
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noncodification; providing for codification; and
declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law not to be
codified in the Oklahoma Statutes reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the " Health Care
Workforce Development and Finance Act of 2022 ".
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law t o be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 697.21b of Title 70, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. There is hereby created in the State Treasury until July 1,
2027, a revolving fund for the Health Care Workforce Training
Commission to be designated the " Health Care Workforce Development
Revolving Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject
to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all available
monies:
1. Received by the state as Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal
Recovery Funds pursuant to Section 9901 of the American R escue Plan
Act of 2021, Pub. L. No. 117 -2;
2. Directed to the state by the federal government for the
purpose of recruiting, educating, and stabilizing O klahoma's health
care workforce;
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3. Derived as interest and income from deposits and investments
of fund assets; and
4. Designated for deposit by law.
B. 1. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund are
hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and expended by the Health
Care Workforce Training Commission for authorized purpose s as
provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection . Expenditures from said
fund shall be made upon w arrants issued by the State Treasurer
against claims filed as prescribed by l aw with the Director of the
Office of Management and Enterprise Serv ices for approval and
payment.
2. All monies accruing to the credit of said fund shall be
utilized for the purpose of recruiting, educating, and stabilizing
Oklahoma's health care workforce, including the cos ts and expenses
of operating such programs.
3. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund shall be
budgeted or encumbered no later than December 31, 2024, and shall be
expended no later than December 31, 2026.
4. All monies accruing to the credit of t he fund shall be
budgeted, expended, and transferred in strict accordance with
applicable state and federal law and guidance providing for and
limiting the utilization of such funds.
SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 63 O .S. 2021, Section 1-2721, is
amended to read as follows:
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Section 1-2721. A. 1. The Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission sha ll administer the Oklahoma Medical
Loan Repayment Program.
2. For the purposes of this section, "primary care physicians"
shall mean physicians practicing in family me dicine, geriatrics,
general internal medicine, general pedia trics,
obstetrics/gynecology , or emergency medicine.
3. For the purposes of this section, "health center" shall mean
a federally qualified health center a s defined by 42 U.S.C., Section
1905(1)(2)(B).
4. For the purposes of this se ction, "teaching health center"
shall mean a health center that supports the residencies of primary
care physicians within the operations of the health cente r.
5. The Program, depending upon and limited to available
funding, shall provide educational loan repayment assistance t o
Oklahoma licensed primary care physicians and physician assistants
who agree to establish a practice in a community located in Oklah oma
approved by the Commission.
6. Each award shall be for a contracted period and shall be
distributed to the participan t by drafts made payable to the
participant at the end of each contract year with disbursements not
to exceed an amount to be establis hed annually by the C ommission.
Prior to any disbursement, th e Commission shall certify and proper ly
review reports submi tted by the participating ph ysician or physician
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assistant detailing performance of activities in accordance with the
Program.
7. The Commission shall rev iew the performance in the Program
of the participating physician or physician assistant and determin e
whether an award may be gr anted for additional years pursuant to
rules promulgated by the Commission.
B. The physicians and physici an assistants enterin g the Program
each year shall agree to pr ovide medical care and services in ar eas
designated by the Commission to provide medical care and services to
Medicaid recipients as authorized by the Oklahoma Health Care
Authority.
C. A physician or physician ass istant shall be eligible to
participate in the loan repayment program if the i ndividual:
1. Is a physician that holds a current Oklahoma medical
license;
2. Is a new primary care graduate physician or physician
assistant. Preference will be given to gra duates of the primary
care residency programs affiliated with the Oklahoma Sta te
University College o f Osteopathic Medicine, the University of
Oklahoma College of Medicine and the teaching hospitals affiliated
with both schools of medi cine and teaching hea lth centers located in
this state; or
3. Is a current practicing physician or physician assistant an d
has met criteria establish ed by the Commission.
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D. The Commission may accept donations of public or private
funds to assist in fund ing the Medical Loan Repayment Program. The
Commission may, at its discretion, contract with other public
entities and nonprofit corporations for the endowment, management
and administration of such funds.
E. The Commission shall present a report on the operation of
the Program to the Governor, the Speaker of the H ouse of
Representatives, and the Pre sident Pro Tempore of t he Senate within
one (1) month of the beginning of each regular session of the
Legislature, including but not limited to the progress m ade in
accomplishing the goal of the Program.
SECTION 4. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1 -2722, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1-2722. The amount of the award of educational loan
repayment assistance shall not exceed an y maximum or minimum amount
as promulgated by rules of the Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission pursuant to the Oklahoma Medical Loan
Repayment Program. The actual amount of the award shall be based
upon a determination of:
1. Actual funds available t o the Program for expenditure; and
2. The existing student loan indebtedness o f the participating
physician.
SECTION 5. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 1 -2723, is
amended to read as follows:
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Section 1-2723. A. The Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission shall have the option of utilizing
available funding in excess of the amount nec essary to fund the
Oklahoma Medical Loan Repayment Progra m described in Section 1 -2721
of this title to fund new or expanded pr imary care residency
programs in rural an d underserved areas of the state. Such new or
expanded primary care residency program f unding shall include but
not be limited to:
1. Payments to hospitals or teaching health centers desiring to
establish new primary care residency programs. Such paymen ts shall
be made to cover the costs of salaries, benefits and educational
costs of residents in training at the facility; or
2. Payments to hosp itals or teaching health center s with
existing primary residency progr ams desiring to expand the number of
residents participating in those programs. Such payments shall be
made to cover the costs o f salaries, benefits and educational costs
of residents in training at the facility .
B. Provisions of this section shall be su bject to the
promulgated rules of the Com mission.
SECTION 6. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625.1, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.1 There is hereby established t he Oklahoma Rural
Medical Education Loan and Scholarsh ip Fund. The fund shall be
administered by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
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Training Commission under the provisions of Section 625.9 of this
title.
SECTION 7. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625 .2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.2 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission shall be authorized and empowered t o grant
scholarships to qualifi ed students who are bona fide residents of
the State of Oklahoma and who wo uld not otherwise hav e funds
necessary to finance the cost of a program of study leading to the
Degree of Doctor of Medicine, or to the Degree of Doct or of
Osteopathic Medicine, to be granted by an accredited and recognized
college of medicine or college o f osteopathic medicin e.
SECTION 8. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625.3, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.3 A. The terms and conditions governing the
scholarships shall be as prescribed and formulated by the Physician
Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission, but shall
include the condition that each recipient, upon completion of his
the recipient's course of study, shall repay his such scholarship by
practicing his the recipient's profession in a rural comm unity in
Oklahoma having a population of seven thousand five h undred (7,500)
persons or less according to the last preceding United States
Decennial Census and having a ne ed therefor, as determined by the
Commission, for one (1) year for each one (1) year the scholarship
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is financed; provided, however, that the recip ient will be given no
credit for payment and reduction of the obligation by serving in the
defined rural communities for a period less than two (2) years.
B. The maximum rural population criter ia specified in
subsection A of this section may be waived by the Commission.
C. The terms of this subsection shall apply to recipients who
accept assistance on or after July 1, 1993. The contract shall
provide that in the event th e recipient breaches th e terms of the
contract by not serving the designated communit y for the specified
period of time, the Commission shall be entitled to recover an
amount equal to three time s the principal disbursed, pursuant to the
contract, plus interest. Interest on all amounts paid to or on
behalf of the participant shall be compu ted at the current prime
rate plus one percent (1%) with the interest to accrue from the date
each payment is made, pursuant to the contract. The amount the
Commission is entitled to recover sh all be paid within ni nety (90)
days of the date the recipient becomes liable as determined by the
Commission.
SECTION 9. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 6 25.4, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.4 The Commission shall pr omulgate and adopt su ch
rules and regulations as may be necess ary to carry out the
provisions of this act. The Commission shall prescribe the fo rm and
regulate the submission of applicat ions for scholarship; conduct
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conferences and interviews with applica nts; determine the
eligibility of applicants; allow or disallo w all applications for
scholarships or renewal of scholarships; contract, increase,
decrease, terminate and otherwise regulat e all grants for
scholarships and their repayment in cash or services ; and manage,
operate and control all funds and property appro priated or otherwise
contributed for this purpose. The Commission may acquire prop erty
or money by the acceptance of gifts, grants, bequests or devise, and
may contract with the federal governm ent in order to secur e the
benefit of any federal program cons istent with the provisions of
this act. Monies received by the Commission in repay ment of
scholarships granted from appropri ated funds shall be deposited with
the State Treasurer who shall plac e the same to the cre dit of the
Commission in depository funds to be known as the "Rural Medical
Education Scholarship Fund" and the "Community P hysician Education
Scholarship Fund" depen ding on the program in which the recipient
participated, under and su bject exclusively to the control of the
Commission for the pur pose of fulfilling and accomplishing the
conditions and purposes of the Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission. All monies so collecte d and
deposited in the State Treasury as aforesaid shall c onstitute a
continuing fund, shall not be subject to fiscal limitations, and the
unexpended balance shall at all times be ava ilable for expenditures
for the purposes and in the manner and form provi ded by this act.
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All funds and proper ty, and income theref rom, received by the
Commission through the acceptance of gifts, grants, bequests or
devise shall be held by the Commission i n trust, and may be sold,
transferred, invested and reinvested by the Com mission in accordance
with the provisions of the Oklahoma Trust Act, and all such funds
and property, and income therefrom, shall be used by the Commission
in fulfilling and accomplis hing the conditions and purposes of the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission.
SECTION 10. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625.4a, is
amended to read as follows :
Section 625.4a There is hereby created in the State Treasury a
revolving fund for the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission to be designated the "Physician Manpower Health
Care Workforce Training Commission Revolving Fund". The fund shall
be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations and
shall consist of all payments received by the Commission pursuant to
Sections 625.3 and 625.10a of this title. All monies accruing to
the credit of the fund are hereby appro priated and may be budgeted
and expended by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission for any expenses incurred in the implementati on
of its duties. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon
warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as
prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and
Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
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SECTION 11. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625.9, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.9 The administration of the Oklahoma Rural Medical
Education Loan and Scholarship Fund is hereby transferred to the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission as
established by law. All the powers, duti es, responsibilities, rules
and regulations and functions of the Board of Trustees of the
Oklahoma Rural Medical Education Sc holarship Fund are hereby
transferred to the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission and the Board of Trustees of the Oklahoma Rural Medical
Education Scholarship Fund is hereby abolished and terminated.
SECTION 12. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625.10a, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.10a The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission is hereby authorized and empowered to establish
and administer cost-sharing scholarships a nd loan fund programs
which shall provide for state assistance to and part icipation with
community physician education and scholarship t rust funds which are
selected and approved by the Commission. Said state assistance and
participation shall be on a stat e and community matching formula
basis for the funding of the educational costs, fees and char ges of
a selected and qualified student i n good standing and who is duly
enrolled in an accredited college of medicine or college of
osteopathic medicine and purs uing a course of study leading to the
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degree of Doctor of Medicine or to the degree of Doctor of
Osteopathic Medicine. Said student sh all be a bona fide resident of
the State of Oklahoma who desires and agrees to practice his
profession on completion of t he course of study and training
required for licensure and certification in the community prov iding
the initial funds to be matched by the state funds. Communities
shall deposit the initial trust funds with the Physician Manpower
Health Care Workforce Training Commission to be administered and
matched by the Commissio n for the education of selecte d and
qualified students to serve and to practice in the communities with
trust funds so established for that purpose with the Commission.
The Commission shall aid a nd advise communities in the selection of
qualified students to participate in a given com munity scholarship
program and the Commis sion shall approve the selection of a given
student for a particular community physician education scholarship
trust fund matching program. The Commission shall determine the
percentage share for the state in the s cholarship matching program
with a given community to educate a given and duly selected student
on the basis of the extent of need of the community and its
surrounding area for the services of a practicing physician, the
amount of the initial trust funds t he community has raised and
deposited in the physician education scholarship trust fund that is
duly established and the matching funds schedule developed by the
Commission and based upon both the population of the community
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determined by the latest Federa l Decennial Census and the estimated
median family annual income level as determined on the basis of the
estimates of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The state
matching assistance and participation in a given scholarship trust
fund program shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the
total amount calculated to be necessary to fund the costs of a
course of study for the degree of Doctor of Medicine or the de gree
of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine as determined annuall y by the
Commission. Repayment of the total amount of the scholarship by the
student on completion of his the student's course of study and on
the establishment of his the student's practice in the community
shall be made to the state fund and to the community tru st fund in
accordance with the percentage and total amounts co ntributed by the
state and by the community to th e matching scholarship trust fund
program and in accordance with the provisions of Section 625.5 of
this title and contract requirements of Secti on 625.6 of this tit le
which shall apply in all cases to stude nts participating in said
community physician edu cation scholarship trust fund programs
administered by the Commission with the exception of the maximum
amount allowable in payment to the studen t which shall be bas ed on
an annual review of the costs, fees and charges of the school of
medicine or school o f osteopathic medicine in which the student is
enrolled and participating which shall be made by the Com mission.
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The procedures, terms and condit ions governing the s cholarships
and how they are administered shall be as prescribed and formulated
by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission
but shall include the following:
1. Communities desiring to participate in a loan and
scholarship program sh all select a student who meets the
requirements for participation and give notice to the Co mmission.
2. The Commission shall aid and advise communities in the
selection of qualified students to participate in a given community
loan and scholarship program.
3. The communities shall deposit with the Commission the
initial year scholarship funds provided by the community which funds
shall be a percentage of the total educational and associated cos ts
of the student in the course of study in an accredited coll ege of
medicine or college of osteopathic medicine and which funds are to
be used in the education of the selected student.
4. The Commission shall review and approve the selection of a
given student and shall then match the initial c ommunity funds with
state funds from the Oklahoma Community Ph ysician Education Loan and
Scholarship Program Fun d in the amount needed to meet the total cost
for educating the student for one (1) year as agreed by t he
Commission and the community in each p articular case.
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5. The Commission shall determine the percent age share for the
state in the loan and scholarshi p program with a given community to
educate a selected student on the basis of:
a. the extent of need o f the community and its
surrounding area for the services of a practicing
physician;,
b. the amount of the initial trust funds the community
has raised and deposited with the Commission for the
education of a selected student ;, and
c. the population of the community which shall be
determined on the basis of the current estimates made
by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.
6. The state matching assistance and p articipation by the
Commission in a given loan and scholarship program for a particular
student shall not exceed seventy-five percent (75%) of the total
amount calculated to be necessary to fund one (1) year of study for
the degree of Doctor of Medicine or the degree of Doctor of
Osteopathic Medicine as determined annually by the Commission at the
school of medicine or osteopathic medicine i n which the selected
student is enrolled.
7. Each scholarship recipient, upon completion of his the
recipient's course of study, shal l repay his the recipient's loan
and scholarship to the state and to the community and receive
forgiveness on repayment of the funds from the s tate and from the
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community by practicing his profession in the community in Oklahoma
providing the initial funds at a minimum fo r one (1) year for each
Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) the community and the state
financed the scholarship program for the student; provided, however,
that the recipient will be given no credit for payment, repayment
and reduction of said obligation to the community and the state by
serving the given community for a period less than two (2) years or,
when approved by the Commi ssion in agreement with the community and
terms of the contracts involved, repayment may be made in cash with
interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum, said
interest to accrue from the date each payment of funds pursuant to
the loan and scholarship program is made. In addition, sho uld a
recipient who accepts financial assistance after July 1, 1977, elect
not to perform his obligated service in the sponsoring community,
the agreed upon sum denoted as liquidated da mages in the contract
shall be assessed the recipient. No interest shall accrue on the
principal during any one period of time that the recipient thereof
is required to serve in the Armed Forces of the United States, or
during his internship or residency, if in a primary care area and
the required service, internship or resid ency does not exceed four
(4) years. Provided that no interest shall accrue for six (6)
months following each of the above exceptions.
Each student who applies to participate in a comm unity and
state matching loan and scholarship program shall enter into a
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contract administered by the Commission on behalf of the state and a
given community which has provided the initial scholarship funds to
educate a selected student. The contract shal l be between the State
of Oklahoma and the selected student by which co ntract the student
agrees to return to the community which provided the initial loan
and scholarship funds and to practice his profession, on completion
of the course of study and train ing required for licensure and
certification, for the number of years f or which the student
received assistance from the community and the state and in
accordance with the conditions specified in the contract agreed to
by the student and the given communit y which selected the student.
Any repayment of the total amount of the scholarship or any portion
thereof as provided in this act and in the contract between t he
state and the student shall be made to the state deposited into the
Community Matching Loan an d Scholarship Repayment Revolving Fund
hereby created in the State Trea sury. The community portion of any
repayment monies deposited in said fund shall be wit hdrawn from the
revolving fund and returned to the community on request or, if the
community so chooses, said repayment monies shall be held available
in said fund for reallocation by the community and the state to the
Community Physician Education Loan an d Scholarship Program Fund to
educate another student selected by the community and approved by
the Commission. The form of the contracts shall be prepared and
approved by the Attorney General. The Commission is hereby vested
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with full and complete autho rity and power to sue in its own name
any applicant for any balance due the Commission for repaym ent of
the scholarship on any contract or for failure by the applicant to
fulfill the terms of his contract in any way. Said contracts shall
be signed by the Chairman Chair of the Commission and by the student
for and by a representative of the community which selected the
student. The Commission shall have authority to cancel the contract
it makes between the Commission and any recipient of a scholarship
upon cause deemed sufficient by the Commission.
SECTION 13. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021 , Section 625.11, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.11 There is hereby created and established the
Oklahoma Community Physician Education Scholarship Program Fund
which fund shall be administered by the Physician Manpower Health
Care Workforce Training Commission for the purposes of providing the
state matching funds assistance for scholarship programs with given
communities. The Commis sion shall be empowered to contract for
services with any state agencies, institutions or any public or
private corporation involved in and conducting programs in physician
manpower health care workforce placement in order that the
Commission may perform its functions in an eff icient and timely
fashion.
SECTION 14. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, S ection 625.13, is
amended to read as follows:
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Section 625.13 A. There is hereby created the "Community Match
Rural Scholarship Incentive Program" which shall be conducted and
administered by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission. The purpose of this program is to provide for
the fair and necessary distribution of funds allocated to it by the
Legislature to provide monies to the following programs under the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission:
1. The Community Matching Intern/Resident Program;
2. The Oklahoma Rural Medical Education Loan Scholarship
Program;
3. The Family/General Practice Resident Rural Scholarship Loan
Program, created pursuant to this section; and
4. The Family/General Practice Resi dency Grant Program, created
pursuant to this section.
The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission
is hereby authorized to distribute such monies to the funds
specified in Sections 625.1, 625.4a and 697.18 of this title
necessary to fund the programs specified in this section.
B. The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission shall establish and administer a Family/General Practice
Resident Rural Scholarship Loan Program for the purpose of assisting
Oklahoma's rural communities by providing financial assistance
through a scholarshi p loan forgiveness program to residents enrolled
in an accredited Family Practice or General Practice residency
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program. The Commission shall establish the eligibility standards,
the amount of the loan not to exceed One Thousand Dollars
($1,000.00) per month, the service obligation of the recipient of
the loan, and any penalties related to the breach of the service
contract or failure to repay such loan plus interest and penalty.
C. The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission shall est ablish and administer a Family/General Practice
Residency Grant Program for the purpose of assisting Oklahoma's
rural communities by providing financial assistance through a grant
program to residents enrolled in an accredited Family Practice or
General Practice residency program. The Commissi on shall establish
the eligibility standards, th e amount of the grant not to exceed
Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per year, up to three (3) years,
the program obligations of the recipient of the grant, and any
penalties related to the breach of the gra nt obligations or failure
to repay the grant plu s interest.
SECTION 15. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 625.14, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 625.14 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission shall establish and administer cost -sharing
programs for internship and residency physician training. The
Commission shall provid e for state assistance by sh aring the cost on
a percentage basis, as may be prescribed by law or as determined by
the Commission, of the salary, fringe benefits, training and program
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administration of the interns and residents as may be arranged by
contract for reimbursement with an accredited and approved hospital
and accredited clinical programs throughout the state in cooperation
with the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and the
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine at Tulsa. Such physici an
training institutions in the state shall serve as the administrative
agent for internship and residency programs which are located in
hospitals and clinical training programs throughout the state. Such
programs are affiliated with the institutions and are approved for
funding by the Commission. The Commission shall conduct the
planning, coordination and selection of the training programs to
assure the effective and efficient operation of these programs. Not
less than seventy-five percent (75%) of the subsidy for these
programs shall be used in the training of primary health care and
family practice physicians for the rural and medically underserved
areas of the state. Provided that such subsidy may be used for the
primary purpose of increasing the tot al number of residencies fun ded
by this state, wherever located within the state, during that period
in which residency programs are being established in rural areas;
provided further, that as the residency programs are established and
accredited in rural hospitals, residency positio ns in such programs
shall be first provided for by the Commission . The Commission shall
present a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate within
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one (1) month of the beginning of each regular legislative session
on the operation of the programs inc luding the progress made in
accomplishing the goals of physician training as to type of
specialties and manpower workforce placement of the kind necessary
to provide adequate health care to the people throughout this state.
The subsidy to the participating hos pital, clinical situation or
training institution per resident or intern shall not exceed any
maximum or minimum amount as may be prescribed by law or as
determined by the Commission. The actual amount of subsidy for
physician training program situations shall be based upon a
determination by the Commission of:
1. The type of primary care residency and internship programs
involved and being conducted;
2. The extent of reimbursement available through third-party
payers and all other sources; and
3. The program and salary costs incurred in the given training
situation.
SECTION 16. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.1, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.1 The Legislature recognizes that there is a need
to upgrade the availability of health care services for people of
Oklahoma, and thus, there is a need to improve the balance of
physician manpower health care workforce distribution in the state
both by type of practice and by geographic location. Furthermore,
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the Legislature recognizes the need to accommodate the increasing
number of graduates from the medical and osteopathic colleges of
Oklahoma by retaining their services as practicing physicians in the
state and by attracting graduates from schools outside the state.
Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to increase the
number of internship and residency programs o ffered for the training
of physicians throughout the state through the sha ring by the state
of the costs of such internships and residencies with hosp itals and
other clinical residency training establishments. These programs
shall be designed primarily to emphasize the training of primary
health care and family practice physici ans and to develop manpower
workforce programs to service directly the rural and nonmetropolitan
areas of the state.
SECTION 17. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.2, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.2 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission is authorized to establish and administer cost-
sharing programs for internship and resid ency physician training.
The Commission shall provide for state assistance by sharing the
cost on a percentage basis, as may be prescribed by law or as
determined by the Commission, of the salar y, fringe benefits,
training and program administration of th e interns and residents as
may be arranged by contract for reimbursement with an accredited and
approved hospital and accredit ed clinical programs throughout the
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state in cooperation with the Okl ahoma State University College of
Osteopathic Medicine. Such physician training institutions in the
state shall serve as the administrative agent for internship and
residency programs wh ich are located in hospitals and clinical
training programs throughou t the state. Such programs are
affiliated with the instituti ons and approved for funding by t he
Commission. The Commission shall conduct the planning, coordination
and selection of the training programs to assure the effective and
efficient operation of these programs. Not less than seventy-five
percent (75%) of the subsidy for these programs sh all be used in the
training of primary health care and family/general practice
physicians for the rural and medically underserved areas of the
state. Provided that such subsidy may be used for the primary
purpose of increasing the total number of residenc ies funded by this
state, wherever located within the state, during that period in
which residency programs are being established in rural areas;
provided further, that as the residency programs are established and
accredited in rural hospitals, residency positions in such programs
shall be first provided for by the Commission. The Commission sha ll
present a report to the Governor, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate withi n
one (1) month of the beginning of each regular legislative session
on the operation of the programs including the progress m ade in
accomplishing the goals of physician training as to type of
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specialties and manpower workforce placement of the kind necessary
to provide adequate health care to the people throughout this state.
The subsidy to the participating hospital, clinical situation or
training institution per resident or intern shall not ex ceed any
maximum or minimum amount as may be prescribed by law or as
determined by the Commission. The actual amount of subsidy for
physician training program situations shall be based u pon a
determination by the Commission of:
1. The type of primary car e residency and internshi p programs
involved and being conducted;
2. The extent of reimbursement availa ble through third-party
payers and all other sources; and
3. The program and salar y costs incurred in t he given training
situation.
SECTION 18. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.3 , is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.3 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission shall be composed of seven (7) nine (9) members
appointed by the Governor with the advi ce and consent of the Sen ate.
Upon the expiration of the term of one of the n onphysician members,
three members shall be practicing all opathic physicians, three shall
be practicing osteopathic physicians and, one shall not be a
physician be a practicing physician assistant, one s hall be a
practicing advanced practice registered nurse, and one shall be a
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member of the general public. The membership shall be appointed
from diverse geographic areas of the state . No board member serving
on November 1, 2001, shall be removed from the board to satisfy the
requirements of this section, but appointments to fill vacancies
subsequent to November 1 , 2001, shall be subject to the requiremen ts
of this section. Three members Members of the Commission shall be
appointed for one-year terms, two members shall be appointed for
three-year terms and two members shall be appointed for five-year
terms, and at the expiration of the initial terms, succeeding terms
of office shall be five (5) years in duration. There shall be al so
twelve additional nonvoting ex officio members of the Commission who
shall serve in an advisory capacity only and include the Dean of the
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine or designee, the Dean of
the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine - Tulsa or designee,
the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine of the University of
Oklahoma Health Sciences Center or designee, the Chair of the
Department of Family Practice of th e University of Oklaho ma College
of Medicine - Tulsa or designee, the Chair of the Department of
General Practice of the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and
Surgery or designee, the President of the Oklaho ma Academy of Family
Physicians or designe e, the President of th e Oklahoma State Medical
Association or designee , the President of the Oklahoma S tate
Osteopathic Association or designee, the President of the Oklahoma
Hospital Association or designee, the S tate Commissioner of Health
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or designee, the Provost of the Univ ersity of Oklahoma Health
Sciences Center or des ignee, and the Dean of the Oklaho ma College of
Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery or designee. Members of the
Commission shall serve without sala ry, but may be reimbursed for
travel expenses in attending meeti ngs and performing their duties
pursuant to the State Travel Reimbursement Act, S ection 500.1 et
seq. of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
SECTION 19. AMENDATORY 70 O. S. 2021, Section 697.5, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.5 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission, in order to perform its official function in
establishing and administe ring physician training programs, shall
have the following spec ific powers, duties and resp onsibilities:
1. To review all available data on physician manpower health
care workforce in Oklahoma in order to determine the current and
projected distribution of physicians by geographic location and by
type of practice, and, to accomplish this review, the Commission
shall obtain information from and work in conjunctio n with the State
Department of Health and all other agencies which gather data and
evaluate health manpower care workforce needs;
2. To review data and information on accredited physicia n
internship and residency programs currently operated by Oklahoma
hospitals and other approved clinical situations, in order to
ascertain the number and distribution by physician s pecialty
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training and by geographic location of available internship and
residency positions and to evaluate the impact of internship and
residency placement on the establishment of practices by physicians
in that geographic area or similar areas within th e state where
their services are urgently needed;
3. To serve as an agent to advise hospitals, clinics, and
communities on setting up and planning internship and residency
programs which emphasize the provision of additional primary care
physicians to service the rural areas of Oklahoma with primary care
specialties to be define d to include training in the area of
internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, emergency
trauma, and family practice;
4. To provide general counsel and advice in th e development,
operation and evaluation of physician internship and residen cy
programs throughout the State of Oklahoma in cooperation with the
efforts of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the
state's physician training institutions such as the Oklahoma
University College of Medicine, Oklahoma City and Tulsa cam puses,
and the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, and
subject to accreditation by official and appropriate accrediting
agencies;
5. To develop the criteria for d etermining the physician
training cost component or associated clinical and hospital training
costs which are or may be nonreimbursable by third party payers in
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programs proposed by accredited hospitals, clinical situations, or
hospital and clinical progra ms affiliated with and administered by
the College of Medicine, College of Medicine - Tulsa or College of
Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in order to determine the share for
the state in supporting the salary, benefits, training and program
administration costs incurred by hospitals in supporting of the
interns and residents;
6. To develop the criteria and procedure by which state
matching funds will be awarded to hospitals, accredited clinical
situations, in cooperation with the University of Oklahoma Co llege
of Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine - Tulsa, and
the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery which shall
administer programs in hospital and clinical situations in the state
to be used to underwrite the salaries, bene fits and associated
training and administration costs provided for the phys ician interns
and residents during their period of training in such a way as to
create an incentive for the development and establishment of
residency and internship positions by ho spitals, clinical
establishments or by affiliation agreement with the Unive rsity of
Oklahoma College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of
Medicine - Tulsa and the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine
and Surgery by providing funds to cover an d to supplement the
nonreimbursable or additional costs incurred in hospita ls for
training activities or for delivery of service in outreach and
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ambulatory clinical situations which are outside but associated with
the hospitals and clinical establishments participating in the
program;
7. To review and to approve for inclusion in the programs
funded the applications for funds submitted by accredited hospitals
and clinical situations participating in physician training programs
in cooperation with the Univer sity of Oklahoma College of Medicine,
University of Oklahoma College of Med icine - Tulsa and the Oklahoma
College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery for the costs of
supplying residents and interns in programs which they administer by
affiliation agreemen ts with hospitals and clinical situations
throughout the state in which the interns and residents are
supervised and funded by the University of Oklahoma College of
Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine - Tulsa and the
Oklahoma College of Os teopathic Medicine and Surgery and the
hospitals and clinical establishment s pay for the patient care
services rendered in their institutions by these residents and
interns during the period of training;
8. To determine the specific level of funding and t he
priorities used for granting state support to approved hospitals and
clinical situations, in cooperation with the University of Oklahoma
College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine -
Tulsa and the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medi cine and Surgery
for approved hospital physician training programs for inte rns and
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residents and to recommend to the Governor and the Oklahoma
Legislature the total funds needed to carry out the purpose of this
program;
9. To employ a director and any sta ff personnel required to
administer the funding of approved physician train ing programs and
to contract with other state agencies and institutions to conduct
and to perform specified services, functions and aspects in
administering state funds on the speci fied cost-sharing basis
determined by the Commission or for developing prog rams and
community and institutional participation in these training
programs;
10. To ensure that hospitals or clinical situations that can
qualify in all sections of Oklahoma be u tilized, and to take all
steps necessary to assist such hospitals or clinic s in obtaining
necessary recognition or status, or in meeting standards for
accreditation or affiliation so that they may participate in these
physician training programs;
11. To ensure that in programs administered and operated by the
University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma
College of Medicine - Tulsa and the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic
Medicine and Surgery in hospitals and clinical situations through out
the state that funds allocated to the colleges are paid by the
hospitals and clinical situations in which the patient care services
are rendered, the funds are expended for such purposes in funding
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residents and interns in the physician training progra ms that the
colleges have established with the approved hospitals and clini cal
situations which programs are designed to provide primary health
care services to the rural and medically underserved parts of the
state;
12. To conduct and to administer a pro gram of physician and
health manpower care workforce placement services thr oughout the
State of Oklahoma. Placement services shall be made available to
communities, hospitals , health care facilities, physician and health
professional training institutions, health profess ional associations
and organizations, individual physicians , health professional s,
students in physician and health professional training institutions
and schools, and other interested parties in such a way so as to
further the purposes of improving the di stribution of physicians and
health professionals practicin g or available for pr actice in the
state and improving in the availability of health care services t o
the people of the state. Said placement service shall include but
not be limited to assisting communities in matching with, contacting
and recruiting physicians and health pr ofessionals to practice in
communities in the state. The Commission shall deve lop criteria and
procedures for the conduct and performance of placement services and
employ any staff, contract for services with any private agency,
nonprofit corporation or i nstitution to facilitate the performance
of placement services.
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SECTION 20. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.6, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.6 Funds appropriated to carry out the provisions o f
this act shall be allocated so that no less than forty percent (40%)
of all participating residents a nd interns in each school year must
participate in a rural program outs ide the Oklahoma City and Tulsa
metropolitan areas. The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission, in accordance with primary care specialty
accreditation standards, shall promulgate and adopt rules
designating the time allo cation spent by the residents and interns
participating in this program outside the Oklahoma C ity and Tulsa
metropolitan areas.
SECTION 21. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.7, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.7 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission is hereby authorized to enter into contractual
arrangements with residency training programs at the Un iversity of
Oklahoma College of Medicine, University of Oklaho ma-Tulsa Medical
College, or the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and
Surgery, in order to enhance available funding f or the training of
primary care residents and to pay the cost of the salary stipend and
expenses of the resident physician for the period of time spent in
the residency programs. Monies received by the Commission from the
participating residency training program under the provisions of
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this section shall be deposited to, and disbursed from, the
"Residency Revolving Fund" hereby crea ted in the State Treasury.
The fund shall be a continuing fund not subject to legislative
appropriation or fiscal year limita tions. Expenditures from the
fund shall be made on warrants issued by the State Treasurer against
claims filed by the Commission with the Director of the Office o f
Management and Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
SECTION 22. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.8, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.8 A community may enter into a contract with a
resident physician in training whereby the resident agrees to
establish a practice in the community upon the completio n of his the
individual's residency. The Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission shall have the authority to receive
funds direct from that community for the purpose of paying the
resident involved to the ext ent of the contractual arr angements.
Monies received by the Commission under the provisions of this
section shall be deposited to, and disbursed from, the "Community
Residency Revolving Fund" hereby created in the State Treasury. The
fund shall be a cont inuing fund not subject to legislative
appropriation or fiscal year limitations. Expenditures from said
fund shall be made on warrants issued by the State Treasurer against
claims filed by the Commission with the Director of the Office of
Management and Enterprise Services for app roval and payment.
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SECTION 23. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.9, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.9 There is hereby created and established the
Community Preceptor Physician Training and Work Experience
Scholarship Fund which fund shal l be administered by the Physician
Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission for the purpose
of providing state matchin g funds assistance and encouraging the
development of a program whereby the state in conjunction with given
communities, hospita ls or clinical training situations funds the
stipends and living expenses for medical students who agree to work
in these given communities during the vacation times during the
course of their education in the University of O klahoma College of
Medicine or the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine and
Surgery. The Commission shall develop procedures for determining
the matching funds participation of communities and of the state for
a given student and coordinate with the p hysician training
institutions in the state for the selection of students to
participate in the program and the selection of physicians who will
supervise students and hospitals and clinical situations in which
the training and experience occurs in the del ivery of primary health
care to rural and medically underserved areas with the purpose of
providing medical and osteopathic students an opportunity to develop
relationships with communities and encourage them to locate their
practices in areas of medical n eed.
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SECTION 24. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697. 10, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.10 A. The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission is authorized to e nter into contractual
arrangements with individual hospitals and clini cal programs for the
reimbursement of intern or resident salary cost not to exceed the
limits established by Section 697.2 of this title. Provided, that
residency and internship positio ns created prior to the spring
semester 1975 shall be eligible for par ticipation in the cost-
sharing program for inter nship and residency training as established
by Sections 697.1 through 697.8 of this title, only if partial
funding of said positions will allow the creation of addition al
positions in whole or in part at the participating hospital or
clinical situation. T he participating hospital or clinical
situation shall document in a manner specified by the Commission the
extent to which funding of a pr eviously created and establish ed
position contributes directly to the creation of additional
positions at the particip ating hospital or clinical situation.
B. The Commission is authorized, in cooperation with the
Oklahoma Health Care Authority, to enter i nto contractual
arrangements with the University of Oklahoma College o f Medicine and
the Oklahoma State University Col lege of Osteopathic Medicine for
the reimbursement of intern and resident professional liability
insurance cost which shall not be subject to the limits established
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in Section 697.2 of this title. Any and al l intern and resident
positions are eligible for reimbursement of intern and resident
professional liability insurance cost.
C. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
fund for the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission to be designated the "Intern and Residents Professional
Liability Insurance Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not
subject to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies
received by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission for reimbursement of intern and residency professional
liability insurance costs. All monies accruing to the credit of the
fund are hereby appropriated and may be budge ted and expended by the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission for
such costs. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants
issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by
law with the Director of the Off ice of Management and Enterprise
Services for approval and payment.
SECTION 25. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.11, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.11 A. In addition to internship and residency
programs previously established and funded, it is t he intent of the
Legislature that the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission, in cooperation with the Oklahoma Health Care
Authority, establish a Critical Need Internship and Residency
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Program. The purpose of the Program is to fund in ternship and
residency programs ac ross the state in areas of critical need. The
determination of areas of critical need shall be made through a
cooperative effort between the University of Oklahoma College of
Medicine and the Oklahoma State University Col lege of Osteopathic
Medicine. The findings shall be reported to the Commission by July
1, 2006, and every three (3) years thereafter.
B. The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and the
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine shal l
annually provide to the Commissi on a report outlining the areas of
physician shortages in each specialty area. The report shall be the
basis for the cooperative funding of critical need physician
specialties for the current fiscal year .
C. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
fund for the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission to be designated the "Critical Need Internship and
Residency Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject
to fiscal year limitations, and shall consist of all monies received
by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission
for funding internship and r esidency programs in areas of critical
need. All monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby
appropriated and may be budgeted and exp ended by the Physician
Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission for such costs.
Expenditures from the fund shall be made upo n warrants issued by the
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State Treasurer against claims filed as prescribed by law with th e
Director of the Office of Man agement and Enterprise Services for
approval and payment.
SECTION 26. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.12, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.12 The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission shall es tablish and administer a cost-sharing
scholarship program for the provision of physician services at the
various correctional facilities under the Department of Corrections
and the surrounding or nearby communities. Except as otherwise
specified herein, the scholarship program shall be administered
pursuant to the requirements prescribed by law for and as part of
the Oklahoma Community Educ ation Scholarship Program. Each
scholarship available hereunder shall be funded on a percentage
cost-sharing basis as follows: One-half (1/2) of the costs to be
provided by the Commission, one-fourth (1/4) of the costs to be
provided by the Department of Corrections and one-fourth (1/4) of
the costs to be provided by a community. Each physician, who has
participated in the scholarship program hereunder, shall devote
one-half (1/2) of his or her professional time to medical car e and
treatment of inmates at a state correctional facility and one -half
(1/2) of his or her professional time to medical serv ices in the
community which shared the cost of a scholarship hereunde r, for the
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period of time as required under the Oklahoma Comm unity Education
Scholarship Program.
SECTION 27. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.15, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.15 In order for any hospital or clin ic to be
eligible to receive funds through the Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission for residency or internship positions,
such hospital or clinic shall affirm tha t students receiving their
medical education in Oklahoma will be give n special consideration
for all residency and internship positions.
SECTION 28. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.16, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.16 Effective July 1, 1982, all positions of the
Physician Manpower All future appointments of personnel to the
Health Care Workforce Training Commission except the Executive
Director who shall remain in the unclassified service, shall become
subject to the Merit System of Personnel Administration. All
incumbent employees shall be classified without the need to pass
examinations and shall be allocated in accordance with the
recommended classifications as p roposed by the Merit System be in
the unclassified service. Any clas sified employee occupying a
position in the Commission prior to July 1, 2022, shall retain the
right to remain in the classified service. However, at the time
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such position becomes vacant, it shall be placed in the unclassified
service.
SECTION 29. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.17, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.17 A. There is hereby established the Nu rsing
Student Assistance Program which shall be administered by the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission. The
purpose of the program sh all be to encourage persons to enter
nursing education progra ms and to practice in areas of this state in
which there is an urgent need for nursing services or in
institutions or agencies of this state which provide funds on a
matching basis with the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission for the support of nursing stude nts. The
Nursing Student Assistance Program shall be administered by rules
adopted by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission.
B. Only students who are residents of this state shall be
eligible to participate in the Nursing Student Assistan ce Program.
C. If a person receiving Nursing Student Assistance Program
funds fails to fully comply with the provisions of the contract for
the funds, the person shall refund t o the Physician Manpower Health
Care Workforce Training Commission all monie s received by the person
pursuant to the provisions of the contract plus a one -time
liquidated damages assessmen t of five percent (5%) of the total
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amount dispersed to the person i n lieu of interest. The Commission
shall prorate the amount to be repaid in the event the obligation
was partially fulfilled.
D. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
fund for the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission to be designated the "Nursing Student Assistance Fund".
The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year
limitations, and shall consist of all n onappropriated monies ,
including community match money of appropriate d funds, grants,
gifts, and repayment of scholarships received by the Physician
Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission. All mon ies
accruing to the credit of the fu nd are hereby appropriated and m ay
be budgeted and expended by the Physician Manpower Health Care
Workforce Training Commission for such scholarshi ps as may be
provided for pursuant t o the Nursing Student Assistance Program.
Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants issued by the
State Treasurer against claims filed as p rescribed by law wit h the
Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services for
approval and payment.
SECTION 30. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Se ction 697.18, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.18 A community may enter into a contract with a
physician who is a graduate from an accredite d medical school
whereby such physician agrees to establish a practice in that
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community. The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission shall have the authority to receive funds direct from
that community for the purpose of paying the ph ysician involved to
the extent of the contractual arrangement. Monies received by the
Commission under the provis ions of this section shall be deposited
to and disbursed from, the "C ommunity Match Revol ving Fund" hereby
created in the State Treasury. The fund shall be a continuing fund
not subject to legislative appropriation of fisca l year limitations.
Expenditures from said fund shal l be made on warrants issued by the
State Treasurer against claims f iled by the Commission with the
Director of the Offic e of Management and Enterprise Servi ces for
approval and payment.
SECTION 31. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.19, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.19 A. There is hereby established the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act Program (OBRA) which shall be administered
by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission.
The purpose of the program shall be to encourage persons to enter
nursing education programs and to practice in nursing homes of this
state in which there is an urgent need for nursing serv ices which
provide funds on a matchi ng basis with the Physician Manpower Health
Care Workforce Training Commission for the supp ort of nursing
students. The OBRA Program shall be administered by rules under the
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Oklahoma Nursing Student Assistance Program ad opted by the Physician
Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission.
B. Only students who are residents of this state shall be
eligible to participate in the OBRA Program.
C. If a person receiving OBRA Progra m funds fails to fully
comply with the provisions of the contract for said fu nds, the
person shall refund to the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission all monies receiv ed by the person pursuant to
the provisions of the contract plus interest at the rate o f twelve
percent (12%) from the date of disbursement of said funds and shall
be liable for any other liquidated damages as specified in the
contract.
D. There is hereby created in the State Treasury a revolving
fund for the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission to be designated the "OBRA Fund". The fund shall be a
continuing fund, not subject to fiscal year limitations, and sha ll
consist of all nonappropriated monies, including local nur sing home
association match money of appropriated funds, grants, gi fts, and
repayment of scholarships r eceived by the Physician Manpower Health
Care Workforce Training Commission. All monies acc ruing to the
credit of said fund are hereby appropriated and may be budgeted and
expended by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission for such scholarships as may be provided for pursu ant to
the OBRA Program. Expenditures from said fund shall be made upon
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warrants issued by the State Treasurer against claims filed as
prescribed by law with the Director of the Office of Management and
Enterprise Services for approval and payment.
SECTION 32. AMENDATORY 70 O.S . 2021, Section 697. 20, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.20 A. There is hereby created the "Osteopathic
Internship and Residency Program" which shall be conducted and
administered by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission. The purpose of this program is to provide for
the fair and necessary distribution of funds allocated to it by the
Legislature to provide monies to the following programs under the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Program:
1. The Doctor of Osteopathy Residency Program (OSU/COM);
2. The Osteopathic General Practice Residency Program
(OSU/COM); and
3. The Osteopathic Internship Program (OSU/COM).
B. The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
Commission is hereby authorized to distribute such monies to the
funds specified in Sections 697.2 and 697.6 of this title necessary
to fund the programs specified in this section.
SECTION 33. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.21, is
amended to read as follow s:
Section 697.21 A. There is hereby established the Physician
Assistant Scholarship Program. The purpose of the program is to
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encourage persons to enter physician assistant education programs
and to practice in rural and medically underserved areas of this
state. The Physician Assistant Scholarship Program shall be
administered by the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission pursuant to rules promulgated by the Com mission
and shall be funded based on an annual estimate of need as
determined by the Comm ission. Awards made pursuant to this Program
shall be subject to the availabi lity of funds. The number of and
amount of each award shall be determined by the Commiss ion based on
the availability of funds.
B. Only students who have be en admitted as a stu dent in an
accredited physician assistant program shall be eligible to
participate in the Physician Assistant Scho larship Program.
C. If a person receiving Physician Assistant Scholarship
Program monies fails to fully comply with the p rovisions of the
contract for the monies, the person shall refund to the Physician
Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission a ll monies
received by the person pursuant to the pro visions of the contra ct
plus interest at a rate that equals the prime interest rate plus one
percent (1%) from the date of disbursement of the funds and shall be
liable for any other liquidated damages as specified in the
contract.
D. There is hereby crea ted in the State Trea sury a revolving
fund for the Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training
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Commission to be designated the "Physician Assistant Scholarship
Fund". The fund shall be a continuing fund, not subject to fiscal
year limitations, and s hall consist of all m onies received by the
Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce Training Commission for
implementation of the Physician Assistant Scholarship Program. All
monies accruing to the credit of the fund are hereby appropriated
and may be budgeted and expended by the Physician Manpower Health
Care Workforce Training Commission fo r such scholarships as may be
provided for pursuant to the Physician Assistant Sch olarship
Program. Expenditures from the fund shall be made upon warrants
issued by the State Treasurer ag ainst claims filed as prescribed by
law with the Director of the Office of Management and Enterprise
Services for approval and payment.
SECTION 34. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 697.21a, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 697.21a The Physician Manpower Health Care Workforce
Training Commission shall promulgate rules to enforce the provisions
of this act.
SECTION 35. It being immediately necessary for the prese rvation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage an d approval.
58-2-10923 JM 03/02/22
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