PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - A bill that would help rural areas recruit medical professionals has passed a South Dakota House panel.
The measure says doctors or dentists who agree to work at a rural facility for three years would get reimbursed for double the cost of attending the University of South Dakota School of Medicine for four years.
It passed the Health Committee unanimously.
The measure changes a reimbursement program already in place, and expands eligibility to physicians in pediatrics, internal medicine and obstetrics and gynecology. Physician assistants, nurse practitioners and midwives could also apply. They would get twice the resident tuition for three years of study.
Rural communities with populations of up to 10,000 can participate, and would help the state pay the bonuses.
The bill next goes to the full House.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
