ATLANTA- The Georgia House of Representatives today passed House Bill 866 by a vote of 147-4.  Sponsored by State Representative Stephen Allison (R-Blairsville), HB 866 allows the State Medical Education Board to match grants to rural communities for the purpose of encouraging physicians to work in underserved areas.

“Many Georgia communities face a severe shortage of doctors,” said Representative Allison. “HB 866 is a small step that we can take to help bring physicians to rural Georgia.”

HB 866 allows organizations approved by the State Medical Education Board to match certain healthcare related grants.  The bill also prioritizes certain grants for the purposes of bringing doctors to underserved areas.  Acceptable expenditures of grant funds shall include but are not limited to medical education, loan repayment, salary supplements, and additional support staff for a physician’s office.  Grants will be offered on a yearly basis and renewed each year at the discretion of the board.