SENATE FAILS TO OVERRIDE VETO OF LOAN FORGIVENESS MEASURE

Bill would have benefitted those treating Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury patients

AUGUSTA—Earlier today in a 21-14 vote, the Senate failed to override the veto of a bill to provide loan forgiveness for neurology-psychiatry practitioners.

“We lament daily about young professionals leaving our state,” said Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston, the sponsor of the bill. “This bill would have provided loan forgiveness for highly specialized professional to provide services to an under-served population—children with developing brains, seniors with Alzheimer’s, and veterans returning from service with traumatic brain injuries.”

The measure would have provided loan forgiveness for neurology-psychiatry doctors who practice in Maine.

“Neurology-psychiatry services allow for efficiency and efficacy otherwise not possible,” said Senator Rebecca Millett of Cape Elizabeth. “It is a benefit to our entire state.”

The bill, LD 1093, “An Act To Clarify the Criteria of the Health Professions Loan Program as It Affects Physicians Practicing Neurology-psychiatry,” was unanimously approved by the Education Committee and unanimously passed under the hammer in both the Senate and the House. The bill will see no further action or consideration.

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