TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF DELEGATES
Resolution 303 (A-06)
Subject: Expansion of Texas Medical Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Introduced by: John A. Menchaca, MD
Referred to: Reference Committee on Science and Education
Whereas, Texas has a very significant problem with access to health care; and
Whereas, Many of our citizens in the underserved areas in Texas have limited resources to pay for their medical care; and
Whereas, The problem of many Texas citizens not having a medical home close to their neighborhood is growing; and
Whereas, Many of our young physicians completing their residency training already have very large student loan balances (averaging $125,000); and
Whereas, It would be financially impossible for young physicians to meet their families' material needs and pay back the loans at the same time if they were to set up their practices in underserved areas and not be able to expect reasonable remuneration; and
Whereas, The State of Texas already has a loan forgiveness program, but the amounts forgiven per year are too small ($9,000) to be very appealing to potential applicants; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Texas Medical Association seek (1) an increase in the annual state loan repayment amount over the current $9,000 as a way to make the program more appealing to potential applicants, and (2) additional total state funding for loan repayment in order to help alleviate one of the most pressing health care issues, that of access to care.
Relevant TMA Policy
205.020 Physician Loan Repayment . Medical students who complete their training in Texas and who intend to serve in underserved areas of the state should be able to seek cancellation of all or part of their educational loans in return for such service. However, medical students in Texas schools should not be required to serve in underserved areas upon graduation and medical schools should not be forced to participate in programs that mandate their graduates to serve in specific areas (Committee on Manpower, p 124, A89; reaffirmed CME Rep. 5-A00).
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2006