Agency: Health

Line Item: Workforce Financial Assistance

Function

The purpose of the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program is to increase the number of: (1) health care professionals (physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, mental health therapists, or other health care professionals) to provide primary health care services in medically underserved areas and (2) geriatric professionals (health care professionals, social worker, occupational therapist, pharmacist, physical therapist, or psychologist). This is done through educational loan repayment grants and scholarships in return for providing health care services for an obligated period of time. Funding for this program is designated as nonlapsing and is appropriated as a separate line item, in accordance with UCA 26-46-102(4).

Statutory Authority

The Workforce Financial Assistance Program is governed by Title 26, Chapter 46 of the Utah Code.

• UCA 26-46 creates the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program Advisory Committee and establishes the Health Department's authority to administer the program.

Funding Detail

Ongoing funding ended after FY 2009 and the existing appropriations were allowed to continue as nonlapsing to fund continuing obligations. The nonlapsing funds will likely be totally expended in FY 2013.

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