04/22/1998 09:22 AM Senate FIN

 HOUSE BILL NO. 193                                                            
                                                                               
"An Act relating to financial assistance for students                          
attending certain graduate education programs; and                             
providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                               
                                                                               
Co-chair Sharp called HB 193.  He noted the bill had been                      
before the committee previously.  It would start requiring                     
some payback under the medical schooling program unless the                    
graduates returned to Alaska and practiced here.  He                           
indicated that amendment #1, proposed by Senator Pearce,                       
was passed at that time.                                                       
                                                                               
Senator Donley indicated he had no other amendments.  He                       
said the bill was a step forward even though it would not                      
save any money for a long time.  He felt it was the right                      
thing to do as far as the students coming back to Alaska.                      
The bill only required those returning students repay the                      
tuition subsidy provided them.                                                 
                                                                               
Senator Adams reiterated his concerns for the funding of                       
the program.  He also would like the funded students to                        
return to Alaska, however, his concern was the money that                      
was missing in the operating budget.  Senator Donley                           
pointed out that the bill did not require the individual to                    
practice medicine in an area that was even needed in                           
Alaska.  He said Alaska had a shortage of physicians in                        
certain areas and a surplus of physicians in other areas.                      
While the WWAMI program is focused on providing types of                       
practitioners that were needed, it was not mandatory those                     
participants actually engage in that type of activity.  He                     
noted that if they really wanted to focus on the concern of                    
Senator Adams they might consider an amendment requiring                       
the nature of the practice be something the area or State                      
needed.                                                                        
                                                                               
Senator Adams said at this time he would remove his                            
objection but take another look at it in Rules.                                
                                                                               
Senator Donley MOVED SCS HB 193(FIN) with individual                           
recommendations and accompanying fiscal note.  WITHOUT                         
OBJECTION it was REPORTED OUT with individual                                  
recommendations and fiscal note from the Department of                         
Education, Student Loan in the amount of $10.0.