Assembly Bill 589, Helping Doctors Provide Care in Underserved Communities, was introduced and passed out of the Assembly Business and Professions Committee Tuesday morning by a vote of 6 to 2.
AB 589 was introduced by Chair of the Revenue and Taxation committee, Assemblymember Henry T. Perea (D-Fresno) and would create a scholarship program to provide up to $105,000 for medical school students who agree to practice medicine in one of California’s designated "Medically Underserved Areas" upon graduation.
Helping Doctors Provide Care in Underserved Communities has the support of the California Medical Association, Association of California Healthcare Districts and Children’s Hospital of Central California.
"Offering these scholarships will raise the level of care in clinics and medical centers in the Central Valley and across the state as more and more people get access to a primary care doctor," Assemblymember Perea said. "Providing medical students with an incentive to practice in underserved places where they are needed most is a great way to make sure people are getting the preventative care they need."
The bill now moves to the Appropriations Committee.