PUBLIC LAW 109–417—DEC. 19, 2006
120 STAT. 2849
health department that serves a health professional shortage area or an area at risk of a public health emergency. ‘‘(b) PROCEDURE.—To be eligible to receive assistance under subsection (a), with respect to the program described in section 338B, an individual shall— ‘‘(1) comply with all rules and requirements described in such section (other than section 338B(f)(1)(B)(iv)); and ‘‘(2) agree to serve for a time period equal to 2 years, or such longer period as the individual may agree to, in a State, local, or tribal health department, described in subsection (a). ‘‘(c) DESIGNATIONS.—The demonstration project described in subsection (a), and any healthcare providers who are selected to participate in such project, shall not be considered by the Secretary in the designation of health professional shortage areas under section 332 during fiscal years 2007 through 2010. ‘‘(d) REPORT.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall submit a report to the relevant committees of Congress that evaluates the participation of individuals in the demonstration project under subsection (a), the impact of such participation on State, local, and tribal health departments, and the benefit and feasibility of permanently allowing such placements in the Loan Repayment Program. ‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2010.’’. (b) GRANTS FOR LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.—Section 338I of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254q–1) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘‘(j) PUBLIC HEALTH LOAN REPAYMENT.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award grants to States for the purpose of assisting such States in operating loan repayment programs under which such States enter into contracts to repay all or part of the eligible loans borrowed by, or on behalf of, individuals who agree to serve in State, local, or tribal health departments that serve health professional shortage areas or other areas at risk of a public health emergency, as designated by the Secretary. ‘‘(2) LOANS ELIGIBLE FOR REPAYMENT.—To be eligible for repayment under this subsection, a loan shall be a loan made, insured, or guaranteed by the Federal Government that is borrowed by, or on behalf of, an individual to pay the cost of attendance for a program of education leading to a degree appropriate for serving in a State, local, or tribal health department as determined by the Secretary and the chief executive officer of the State in which the grant is administered, at an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), including principal, interest, and related expenses on such loan. ‘‘(3) APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING REQUIREMENTS.—With respect to awards made under paragraph (1)— ‘‘(A) the requirements of subsections (b), (f), and (g) shall apply to such awards; and ‘‘(B) the requirements of subsection (c) shall apply to such awards except that with respect to paragraph (1) of such subsection, the State involved may assign an individual only to public and nonprofit private entities that
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