Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2015

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide loan repayment incentives for physician assistants, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2015 2. Student loan repayment for certain physician assistants (a) In general Part C of title VII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 293k et seq. III Physician Assistants 749C. Faculty positions in physician assistant education program loan repayment (a) In general (1) Contracts Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible individuals under which such an individual agrees to serve as a full-time member of the faculty at a graduate-level physician assistant education program (as defined in section 799B) in consideration of the Federal Government agreeing to pay, for each year of such service, at the end of each such year, not more than $10,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such individual. (2) Cap The Secretary may not pay more than $45,000 under this section for any individual. (b) Definitions (1) Eligible individual In this section, the term eligible individual (A) is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States; (B) has a degree from a graduate-level physician assistant education program; (C) has contracted with a graduate-level physician assistant education program to serve as a member of the faculty for not less than 2 years; and (D) either— (i) holds a license as a physician assistant; or (ii) is qualified for licensure as a physician assistant in a State where such individual serves as a full-time member of the faculty at a graduate-level physician assistant education program. (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021. 749D. Physician assistant primary care provider loan repayment (a) In general The Secretary shall enter into contracts with eligible individuals under which such an individual agrees to serve for at least 2 years as a full-time physician assistant in a health professional shortage area, in a medically underserved area, or at a health center in consideration of the Federal Government agreeing to pay the eligible amount of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such individual. (b) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible amount The term eligible amount (A) for each of the first two years of service under such contract, 30 percent of such aggregate principal and interest; and (B) for the third year, if any, of service under such contract, 25 percent of such aggregate principal and interest. (2) Eligible individual The term eligible individual (A) is a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States; (B) has a degree from a graduate-level physician assistant education program; and (C) has contracted with a health care provider located in a health professional shortage area or a medically underserved area or with a health center to serve as a physician assistant for not less than 2 years. (3) Health center The term health center (4) Medically underserved area The term medically underserved area medically underserved community (5) Health professional shortage area The term health professional shortage area (c) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021. . (b) Effective date The amendment made by this section shall apply with respect to service occurring on or after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Extending authorization of appropriations to support faculty development and disadvantaged students Section 740 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 293d (1) in subsection (a), by inserting after 2014 and each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021 (2) in subsection (b), by inserting after 2014 and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021 (3) in subsection (c), by inserting after 2014 and each of the fiscal years 2017 through 2021 4. Reauthorization of primary care training and enhancement programs Section 747(c) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 293k(c) (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting after 2014 and each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking Fifteen At least 15 5. Grants for research on physician assistant education (a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide grants to eligible entities to fund eligible researchers to increase research on physician assistant education. (b) Application An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c) Condition of receipt As a condition of receipt of a grant under this section, an entity shall each year award not fewer than eight eligible researchers funds to support physician assistant education research. (d) Report requirement An entity receiving a grant under this section shall provide to the Secretary with respect to each year that such entity receives funds under this section a report on the activities conducted using such funds, including— (1) the number of researchers supported during such year by such entity using such funds; (2) a list of the researchers counted under paragraph (1), organized by researcher, including— (A) the institution such researcher is affiliated with; and (B) the research topic of such researcher; (3) citations to published clinical and scientific research by researchers described in paragraph (1) that is attributable to support under this section; (4) an evaluation of the benefits of grants under this section; and (5) any other information the Secretary may request. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) is a non-profit organization; and (B) has demonstrated expertise in physician assistant education and faculty development. (2) Eligible researcher The term eligible researcher (A) has demonstrated expertise in physician assistant education and faculty development; and (B) at such time and in such manner as such entity may require, provides such entity with a research proposal on improving physician assistant education and faculty development. (3) Physician assistant education The term physician assistant education (4) Secretary The term Secretary (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2021.

Summary: Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into contracts to repay the student loans of physician assistants who agree to serve as: (1) faculty members for physician assistant education programs; or (2) physician assistants in health professional shortage areas, in medically underserved areas, or at health centers serving medically underserved populations. The bill extends through FY2021 programs that: (1) award grants to health professional schools to provide need-based scholarships, (2) repay the student loans of health professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to serve as faculty members at health professional schools, (3) support fellowships to increase the number of underrepresented minority faculty members at health professional schools, and (4) award grants to health professional schools to assist individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Support provided by HHS for the development, operation, expansion, and improvement of primary care training programs is revised and extended through FY2021. HHS must award grants to nonprofit organizations to increase research on physician assistant education.