HB 114-MEDICAL PROVIDER INCENTIVES/LOAN REPAYM'T                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:21:25 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  SPOHNHOLZ announced  that  the next  order of  business                                                               
would be  HOUSE BILL  NO. 114,  "An Act  relating to  a workforce                                                               
enhancement  program for  health care  professionals employed  in                                                               
the state; and providing for an effective date."                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:21:37 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
BERNICE  NISBETT,  Staff,  Representative Ivy  Spohnholz,  Alaska                                                               
State Legislature,  reviewed HB  114 on behalf  of Representative                                                               
Spohnholz, sponsor.   She said  HB 114, also known  as "SHARP-3,"                                                               
would   establish  the   Health   Care  Professionals   Workforce                                                               
Enhancement  Program  to  address  the shortage  of  health  care                                                               
professionals  in Alaska.   These  professionals  will work  with                                                               
eligible employers  for three  years in  areas where  health care                                                               
shortages are occurring  and can choose to do  the loan repayment                                                               
route,  the direct  incentives route,  or both.   Employers  will                                                               
fully  fund SHARP-3  without any  state general  funds.   SHARP-2                                                               
will sunset  June 30,  2019, and SHARP-3  would proceed  and take                                                               
effect July 1, 2019.                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
3:22:40 PM                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR ZULKOSKY  moved to report  HB 114 out of  committee with                                                               
individual  recommendations and  attached  fiscal  notes.   There                                                               
being no  objection, HB  114 was reported  from the  House Health                                                               
and Social Services Standing Committee.