PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The Senate has passed a bill allowing
incentive payments as a way to entice more health care
professionals to rural areas of the state.
The bill says that professionals in certain health care fields
who commit to practicing in communities with 10,000 or fewer people
for at least three years could receive an incentive payment to help
with the cost of school tuition.
The professionals include doctors, dentists, physician
assistants, nurse practitioners and midwives.
Only a certain number of professionals in each field could take
advantage of the program at one time. Graduates of the South Dakota
School of Medicine who did their residency in state would have
priority over other applicants.
The Senate voted 34-0 on Thursday. It goes next to the House.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-02-09-12 1940EST
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