health professions scholarship program

health professions scholarship program Sec. 104. Section 225 (i) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 234(i)) is amended (1) by inserting “(1)” after “(i)”, and (2) by adding at the end the following: “(2) (A) In addition to the sums authorized to be appropriated under paragraph (1) to carry out the Program, there are authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1978, $5,450,000; for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1979, $6,300,000; for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, $7,200,000; and for fiscal years 1981, 1982, 1983, and 1984 such sums as may be specifically authorized by an Act enacted after the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, to provide scholarships under the Program to provide physicians, osteopaths, dentists, veterinarians, nurses, optometrists, podiatrists, pharmacists, public health personnel, and allied health professionals to provide services to Indians. Such scholarships shall be designated Indian Health Scholarships and shall be made in accordance with this section except as provided in subparagraph (B). ‘(B) (i) The Secretary, acting through the Indian Health Service, shall determine the individuals who receive the Indian Health Scholarships, shall accord priority to applicants who are Indians, and shall determine the distribution of the scholarships on the basis of the relative needs of Indians for additional service in specific health professions. “(ii) The active duty service obligation prescribed by subsection (e) shall be met by the recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship by service in the Indian Health Service, in a program assisted under title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, or in the private practice of his profession if as determined by the Secretary in accordance with guidelines promulgated by him such practice is situated in a physician or other health professional shortage area and addresses the health care needs of a substantial number of Indians. “(C) For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘Indians’ has the same meaning given that term by subsection (c) of section 4 of the 90 STAT. 1404Indian Health. Care Improvement Act and includes individuals described in clauses (1) through (4) of that subsection.”.