Introduction

(1) These rules implement the Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program authorized in T.C.A., Title 49, Chapter 4, Part 9 as amended by 2008 Tennessee Public Acts, Chapter 1142 (hereinafter called the Act). The Act establishes a five- year pilot program and makes provision for loans and loan forgiveness to Tennessee health care providers and dentists. Loan forgiveness requires the health care providers and dentists to locate and practice in a Tennessee health resource shortage area after becoming licensed to practice. (2) While the Act refers to the program as the “Tennessee Rural Health Act of 2008,” the Corporation interprets the Act as establishing a loan forgiveness program because the Act requires the recipient to sign a promissory note that stipulates a repayment obligation under certain circumstances. In order to avoid confusion, the working title of the program shall be the “Tennessee Rural Health Loan Forgiveness Program.”