Code of Maine Rules
94 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
457 - FINANCE AUTHORITY OF MAINE (FAME)
Chapter 607 - ACCESS TO MEDICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH PROFESSIONS LOAN PROGRAMS
Section 457-607-II - ACCESS TO MEDICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM

1. Prior to January 1, 2010, the Authority may enter into a contract with one or more institutions to secure positions for students of allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Prior to January 1, 2011, the Authority may enter into a contract with an institution to secure positions for students of veterinary medicine.

2. Each contract shall require contract students at the institution to complete clinical education in rural areas and health professional shortage areas of the State or, with respect to students of veterinary medicine, to complete clinical education in an area of the State with insufficient veterinary services relating to large animals, all upon such terms and conditions as may be agreed. Each contract shall further require the institution to provide the Authority annually a list of the clinical education completed in the preceding year by each contract student attending that institution.

3. Each contract may require the institution to improve opportunities for clinical education in rural areas, health professional shortage areas and areas of the State with insufficient veterinary services relating to large animals.

4. Each contract may require the institution to allow the Authority or a representative of the Authority to participate in the admission of applicants to the Access to Medical Education Program.

5. Each contract may require the institution to assist the Authority in determining the financial need of applicants participating in the Health Professions Loan Program.

6. Each contract will provide that payments will be made for each student for a maximum of four years.

1. Maine residents who have been accepted to an institution with which the Authority has a contract are eligible.

2. All applicants must show evidence of a desire to practice primary health care in the State, or to practice in a health professional shortage area, or as to applicants for veterinary medicine positions, to practice veterinary medicine, specializing in large animal medicine, in an area of the State with insufficient veterinary services.

3. Applicants must commence their professional education on or after January 1, 1993 and prior to January 1, 2010, except as to applicants for available veterinary medicine positions, who must commence their professional education on or after January 1, 1999 and prior to January 1, 2011.

1. For allopathic or osteopathic medical students, each contract student selected to participate in the program must sign a written Agreement with the Authority whereby the student agrees to complete a minimum of two primary care, clinical education rotations in Maine. One rotation must occur at a Maine primary care residency program, and consist of not less than 50% outpatient care. The other rotation must occur in either a health professional shortage area or an ambulatory site defined as rural by the Authority. No ambulatory site rotations shall occur prior to completion of a student's core curriculum. For veterinary medical students, the student must sign an Agreement with the Authority that must provide that the student agrees to complete clinical education in an area of the State with insufficient veterinary services relating to large animals.

2. If any portion of the amounts expended by the Authority to secure positions at an institution are used to reduce the tuition paid by the contract student, the contract student must sign an agreement with the Authority to repay such amounts on such terms and conditions as are set forth in section III. E.3 hereof.

3. The Agreement signed by a contract student may require or encourage the student to participate in presentations at one or more high schools in the state concerning careers in the veterinary or health profession, and such other terms and conditions as the Authority deems necessary to fulfill the policy objectives of the program.