DESIGNATION OF HEALTH MANPOWER SHORTAGE AREAS.

SEC. 302. DESIGNATION OF HEALTH MANPOWER SHORTAGE AREAS. Section 332 (42 U.S.C. 254e) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1), by adding at the end thereof the following new sentences: “The Secretary shall not remove an area from the areas determined to be health manpower shortage areas under subparagraph (A) of the preceding sentence until the Secretary has afforded interested persons and groups in such area an opportunity to provide data and information in support of the designation as a health manpower shortage area or a population group described in subparagraph (B) of such sentence or a facility described in subparagraph (C) of such sentence, and has made a determination on the basis of the data and information submitted by such persons and groups and other data and information available to the Secretary.”; and (2) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) by striking out “and” after “services,” in subparagraph (B); (B) by striking out the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting in lieu thereof “, and”; and (C) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(D) ability to pay for health services.”.