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HF 4500

Funding provided for the health professional education loan forgiveness program for physicians licensed to practice medicine in the area of obstetrics and gynecology, and money appropriated.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Keith Allen and 2 co-sponsors

HF 4500 would fund a loan forgiveness program to attract/retain Minnesota OB/GYN physicians by forgiving eligible loans in exchange for service.

Introduction and first reading, referred to Health Finance and Policy
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Bill Summary · HF 4500

Bill Summary: HF 4500 (Minnesota, 2025-2026)

Title

Funding provided for the health professional education loan forgiveness program for physicians licensed to practice medicine in the area of obstetrics and gynecology, and money appropriated.

Purpose and Intent

HF 4500 proposes to allocate state funds to support the Health Professional Education Loan Forgiveness Program (HPELFP) specifically for physicians who are licensed to practice obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) in Minnesota. The overarching goal is to attract and retain OB/GYN physicians by offering loan forgiveness in exchange for service, thereby addressing potential shortages in obstetric and gynecologic care.

Key Provisions (Proposed Provisions and Changes)

  • Funding Allocation: The bill authorizes or designates state money to be spent on the HPELFP targeted to OB/GYN physicians.
  • Target Population: Physicians licensed to practice medicine in the field of obstetrics and gynecology within Minnesota.
  • Loan Forgiveness Mechanism: Establishes or continues a program under which loan debt for eligible OB/GYN physicians can be forgiven, subject to program rules (eligibility, service requirements, and forgiveness criteria to be defined by implementing rules or statute).
  • Program Administration: Likely directs the responsible state health or education agency to administer the program, including application processes, annual funding levels, and reporting requirements. (Implementation details would be clarified in accompanying fiscal notes and administrative rules.)
  • Appropriations Scope: Specifies that the appropriated funds are to be used for loan forgiveness rather than other forms of financial support (e.g., stipends, scholarships) for OB/GYN physicians.

Note: The bill text, as provided in the prompt, emphasizes funding and money appropriated for the OB/GYN loan forgiveness program but does not include all operational details. The exact eligibility criteria, service obligations (e.g., number of years of practice in Minnesota, practice setting, geographic service requirements), and forgiveness schedule will typically be defined in implementing provisions, administrative rules, or future amendments.

Who Would Be Affected

  • OB/GYN Physicians: Eligible licensed physicians practicing OB/GYN in Minnesota who participate in the loan forgiveness program and meet established requirements.
  • Medical Students/Residents (Indirectly): The program may influence decisions about pursuing OB/GYN training or remaining in Minnesota to practice, given loan forgiveness as a retention incentive.
  • Health Care Workforce System: The state’s health workforce planning and human services agencies, which would administer, oversee, and report on program outcomes.
  • Patient Population: Pregnant patients and others seeking OB/GYN care may benefit from improved access if the program helps alleviate physician shortages.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and First Reading: The bill was introduced and referred to the Health Finance and Policy committee on March 18, 2026.
  • Next Steps in Legislative Process: The committee will review fiscal implications, policy language, and implementation details. If advanced, the bill would move through additional hearings, potential amendments, and votes in House committees, then on to the Senate and onto the governor for enactment.
  • Implementation Timeline: Specific timelines (start date for funding, application window, and forgiveness schedule) are typically established in the bill’s final enacted text and any accompanying authorizations; until then, timing remains to be determined through committee-approved language and the annual state budget process.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Budgetary Impact: Requires state appropriations; impact depends on the size of the funding and the number of eligible participants.
  • Policy Implications: Could enhance OB/GYN workforce stability in Minnesota, particularly in underserved areas, depending on geographic service requirements and deployment of funds.
  • Administrative Considerations: Requires clear guidance on eligibility, service obligations, forgiveness calculation, repayment terms, and performance reporting to ensure accountability and program effectiveness.

Conclusion

HF 4500 seeks to bolster Minnesota’s OB/GYN workforce by funding the health professional education loan forgiveness program for physicians in this specialty. The bill aims to improve access to obstetric and gynecologic care by providing financial incentives for physicians to practice in Minnesota, with administering details to be defined in subsequent legislative or regulatory action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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