Dental Student Loan Repayment Program Bills Still Awaiting Second Hearing

Feb 9, 2024

CS/HB 369 by Rep. Colleen Burton (R-Lakeland) and SB 764 by Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) are still waiting to be heard in their second committee of reference. CS/HB 369 is waiting for a hearing in the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, while SB 764 is waiting to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education. The House and Senate are still in the early stages of developing their respective budgets and still have time to consider this legislative proposal and include the funding for this initiative in the state’s overall budget recommendation.

Based on the projections provided by the Department of Health (DOH), the state would need to allocate $570,941 of general revenue to fund the dental student loan repayment program for fiscal year 2018-2019. The state’s budget is projected to be more than $87 billion for the upcoming budget year. The funding for the dental student loan repayment program is nominal compared to the overall projected budget and would have a significant impact on increasing access to dental care in rural and underserved areas, while helping to reduce visits to hospital emergency rooms.

Capital Report, Vol. 25, No. 4 - Feb. 2, 2018