The purpose of this Act is to improve patient accessibility to healthcare providers through the retention and recruitment of physicians by encouraging eligible health care professionals to serve in shortage areas by providing financial support in the form of loan repayments if the participant serves on Guam.

I Liheslaturan Guåhan finds that there is a significant shortage of physician specialists around the world, and especially on Guam. Access to medical specialists on the island is very limited, and must be addressed. I Liheslatura recognizes that the recruitment of medical specialists is hampered by the pay given to physicians. I Liheslatura further recognizes that given the government of Guam’s current economic shortfall, the government cannot afford to pay close to the national average of medical specialists. The American College of Emergency Physicians reports that physician incomes are higher than

COL372014
17 Guam Code Ann. EDUCATION
CH. 52 THE PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT AND
RETENTION EDUCATION DEBT REPAYMENT PROGRAM

most occupations in order to allow for the repayment of high levels of debt.

It is the intent of I Liheslatura to offer other incentives that will attract residents and former residents of Guam, who have left the island to pursue a medical degree, to come back home and serve our community. One incentive is to offer a medical school debt repayment program. I Liheslatura finds that there has been a steady increase, climbing six percent (6%) annually, in school tuition and expenses for medical students that have resulted in high levels of graduating student indebtedness which leads medical students to find high paying medical jobs that will assist in the repayment of their educational loans. It is the intent of I Liheslatura to offer a medical school debt repayment program for residents and former residents of Guam who are willing to practice on Guam.