HB659

Health; rural assistance; expand medical education funding and the service cancelable loan program to include optometrists

Chamber Passed·2/2/26

Expands medical education funding and service cancelable loan program to include optometrists in Georgia.

This bill amends Georgia's medical professionals for rural assistance to expand medical education funding and the service cancelable loan program to include optometrists. It provides for related matters, including the repeal of conflicting laws. The Georgia Board of Health Care Workforce is authorized to grant loans and scholarships to eligible health care professionals, including optometrists, who agree to practice in underserved rural areas. The board can also make grants to hospitals and other entities in these areas to enhance recruitment efforts.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Last
Passed the House · 164–8 · Feb 2
Current
The Senate
Next
Senate floor vote

Sponsors

0
6
RRRRRR
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

164 Yea

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8 Nay

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1 Not Voting

R

3 Absent

DDD

Calendar

Mar 23

2:00 PM

Senate Health And Human Services Committee

Mar 23

3:00 PM

Senate Health And Human Services Committee

History

Apr 2

House

House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

Mar 31

Senate

Senate Third Read

Mar 31

Senate

Senate Passed/Adopted As Amended