36.61(1)(am)(am) “Eligible practice area” has the meaning given in s. 36.60 (1) (ag), except that with respect to a dental hygienist “eligible practice area” means a dental health shortage area or a free or charitable clinic.

36.61(1)(b)(b) “Health care provider” means a dental therapist, dental hygienist, physician assistant, nurse-midwife, or nurse practitioner.

36.61(1)(bp)(bp) “Health professional shortage area” has the meaning given in s. 36.60 (1) (aj).

36.61(1)(d)(d) “Primary care shortage area” has the meaning given in s. 36.60 (1) (cm).

36.61(1)(e)(e) “Rural area” has the meaning given in s. 36.63 (1) (c).

36.61(2)(2) Eligibility. The board may repay, on behalf of a health care provider, up to $25,000 in educational loans obtained by the health care provider from a public or private lending institution for education related to the health care provider’s field of practice, as determined by the board with the advice of the council.

36.61(3)(a)(a) The board shall enter into a written agreement with the health care provider. In the agreement, the health care provider shall agree to practice at least 32 clinic hours per week for 3 years in one or more eligible practice areas in this state or in a rural area, except that a health care provider in the expanded loan assistance program under sub. (8) who is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist may only agree to practice at a public or private nonprofit entity in a health professional shortage area.

36.61(3)(b)(b) The agreement shall specify that the responsibility of the board to make the payments under the agreement is subject to the amount of funds transferred to the board under s. 20.505 (8) (hm) 6r., the contributions received and penalties assessed by the board, and the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (qj).

36.61(4)(4) Loan repayment. Principal and interest due on loans, exclusive of any penalties, may be repaid by the board at the following rate:

36.61(4)(a)(a) Up to 40 percent of the principal of the loan or $10,000, whichever is less, during the first year of participation in the program under this section.

36.61(4)(b)(b) Up to an additional 40 percent of the principal of the loan or $10,000, whichever is less, during the 2nd year of participation in the program under this section.

36.61(4)(c)(c) Up to an additional 20 percent of the principal of the loan or $5,000, whichever is less, during the 3rd year of participation in the program under this section.

36.61(5)(a)(a) The obligation of the board to make payments under an agreement entered into under sub. (3) is subject to the amount of funds transferred to the board under s. 20.505 (8) (hm) 6r., the contributions received and penalties assessed by the board, and the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (qj).

36.61(5)(b)(b) If the cost of repaying the loans of all eligible applicants, when added to the cost of loan repayments scheduled under existing agreements, exceeds the total amount of funds transferred to the board under s. 20.505 (8) (hm) 6r., the contributions received and penalties assessed by the board, and the appropriation under s. 20.285 (1) (qj), then, subject to par. (bm), the board shall establish priorities among the eligible applicants based upon the following considerations:

36.61(5)(b)1.1. The degree to which there is an extremely high need for medical care in the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in which an eligible applicant who is not a dental therapist or dental hygienist desires to practice and the degree to which there is an extremely high need for dental care in the dental health shortage area or rural area in which an eligible applicant who is a dental therapist or dental hygienist desires to practice.

36.61(5)(b)2.2. The likelihood that an eligible applicant will remain in the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in which he or she desires to practice after the loan repayment period.

36.61(5)(b)3.3. The per capita income of the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in which an eligible applicant desires to practice.

36.61(5)(b)4.4. The financial or other support for health care provider recruitment and retention provided by individuals, organizations or local governments in the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in which an eligible applicant desires to practice.

36.61(5)(b)5.5. The geographic distribution of the health care providers who have entered into loan repayment agreements under this section and the geographic location of the eligible practice area, health professional shortage area, or rural area in which an eligible applicant desires to practice.