The state is hoping to improve mental health and primary care in underserved areas by offering grants that will help doctors repay their medical school loans.
The State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board will oversee a new $1.5 million grant program that will give money to people graduating this year from medical training who say they will work in underserved areas, designated by the federal government.
John Reinemann, executive secretary of the board, says the program could help as many as 12 physicians and 12 psychiatrists pay back school loans.
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“It’s very easy to imagine that some of these physicians would have $100,000 or more in debt when they begin their practice,” said Reinemann.
To be eligible for the grant, graduates of medical training programs in 2014 have to tell the aids board where they plan to work; they can’t apply for the grant if they’re already working in an underserved area.
“We’d like word of this spread far and wide because the applicants are going to have to fill out that notice of intent prior to accepting employment,” said Reinemann. “I think that’s going to be a challenge as we administer program but we’ll do our best.”
The grant program was one recommendation of the State Assembly Speaker’s Task Force on Mental Health.
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