124th MAINE LEGISLATURE
		LD 853		LR 1234(02)
	An Act To Encourage Maine Residents To Attend Medical School and Practice in Maine
	Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "   "
	Committee: Education and Cultural Affairs
	Fiscal Note Required: Yes
Fiscal Note
Undetermined current biennium cost increase - General Fund
Fiscal Detail and Notes
	This bill establishes the Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship Fund as a nonlapsing, interest-earning, revolving fund within the Finance Authority of Maine to provide scholarships for qualifying Maine students, up to a maximum of $25,000 per student per year who enter a qualifying Maine-based medical school program.  The cost of providing the scholarship can not be determined at this time and will depend on the number of students who qualify for the program each year.
	Since this legislation does not identify a funding source for the program, it is unclear whether or not any funds will be available to support the costs of the program beginning in fiscal year 2009-10.  The Governor has proposed, as part of a larger package, appropriating $1,750,000 in fiscal year 2009-10 and $1,750,000 in fiscal year 2010-11 from General Fund monies "freed up" as a result of the enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage provided in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 to fund this initiative.  The proposal was presented to the Joint Standing Committee on Appropriations and Financial Affairs in mid-March.  However, no action has been taken by the Committee to-date and the proposal is included in the latest change package issued in response to the lowered revenue forecast from the Revenue Forecasting Committee.  Public Law 2009, chapter 1 requires legislative approval for use of these funds.
	This bill requires the gradual phase-out of the Access to Medical Education program effective June 30, 2013 and provides that provides that any unexpended fund balances in that program beginning in fiscal year 2009-10 be used to fund the Doctors for Maine's Future Scholarship program.  The Finance Authority of Maine estimates the savings as a result of the phasing out of the Access to Medical Education program to be $100,000 in fiscal year 2010-11, $200,000 in fiscal year 2011-12, $300,000 in fiscal year 2012-13 and $400,000 in fiscal year 2013-14.