SUBTITLE F. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

(a) Section 3 (D.C. Official Code § 7-751.02) is amended as follows:

(1) Subsection (a) is amended by striking the phrase "recruitment tool" and inserting the phrase "recruitment and retention tool" in its place.

(2) Subsection (b) is amended to read as follows:

" (b) Based on the availability of funds, the Program will pay for, among other expenses, the cost of education necessary to obtain a health professional degree. The Program will pay toward the outstanding principal, interest, and related expense of federal, state, or local government loans and commercial loans obtained by the participant for:

" (1) School tuition and required fees incurred by the participant;

" (2) Reasonable educational expenses; and

" (3) Incentive payments that lead to the retention of existing Program participants to practice in Ward 7 or 8; provided, that retention incentives shall be limited to $15,000 per participant per year.".

(b) Section 9 (D.C. Official Code § 7-751.08), is amended by adding a new subsection (a-1) to read as follows:

" (a-1) Physicians who specialize and practice in obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, or other medical specialties specifically identified by the Director shall be eligible to have 100% of their total debt, not to exceed $200,000, repaid by the Program over 4 years of service; provided, that the participants provide full-time service in Ward 7 or 8. For each year of participation, the Program will repay loan amounts according to the following schedule:

" (1) For the first year of service, 18% of their total debt, not to exceed $36,000;

" (2) For the second year of service, 26% of their total debt, not to exceed $52,000;

" (3) For the third year of service, 28% of their total debt, not to exceed $56,000; and

" (4) For the fourth year of service, 28% of their total debt, not to exceed $56,000.".

(c) Section 16a (D.C. Official Code § 7-751.15a) is amended as follows:

(1) Subsection (a) is amended by striking the phrase "loan repayments" and inserting the phrase "loan repayments and retention incentives" in its place.

(2) A new subsection (d) is added to read as follows:

" (d) The Department of Health shall segregate the $1.5 million local funds enhancement provided in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget into a separate subaccount, which shall only be expended for:

" (1) Section 3(b)(3) ; or

" (2) Section 9(a-1) .".