The Colorado Health Service Corps has awarded $1.60 million in educational loan debt forgiveness to primary health care professionals serving Colorado’s medically underserved.
On April 20, Gov. Bill Ritter signed House Bill 1138, which enhanced the Colorado Health Service Corps without adding any additional burden to taxpayers. Gov. Ritter said, “This act will strengthen the health professional workforce for people in both urban and rural areas of Colorado. When we invest in the health of Colorado’s citizens, we can expect significant dividends, both in quality of life and economic return.”
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Sara Gagliardi (D-Arvada) and Sen. John P. Morse (D-Colorado Springs), received broad bipartisan support in the Legislature. The legislation renamed the program the Colorado Health Service Corps and adjusted program policies to attract more private philanthropic organizations to participate in funding future awards. In addition, the legislation added oral health professions to the list of eligible program participants.
The Colorado Health Service Corps will accept applications for additional providers in July and November 2010. For more information about the Colorado Health Service Corp or to apply to the program, visit http://www.coloradohealthservicecorps.org/ or call 303.692.2466.
