Authorizes enrollment grants for medical education programs for minorities; appropriation

Summary of specific provisions

This bill would add a new section 6402-a to the Education Law authorizing the award of grants to independent institutions of higher education offering registered programs in medicine as an incentive to increase minority enrollment and retention in such programs. The bill provides that if a medical school's enrollment comprises at least 8% (present mean enrollment) under-represented minorities, the school would receive an additional capitation or enrollment grant of $1,000 for each such minority student. If minority enrollment reaches 12% or higher, the capitation bonus would be $2,000 per minority student; at 16% or higher, the bonus would be $4,000 per minority student. As a further inducement for schools to develop programs aimed at supporting retention of minorities, capitation payments for fourth-year students would be awarded at double the normal level ($2,000, $4,000 or $8,000 depending on enrollment percentage for that year). The bill would appropriate $258,000 to fund the program. The bill would authorize the Commissioner of Education to promulgate regulations to implement the program and establish a payment schedule with the approval of the Director of the Budget. The Commissioner would be required to review the effectiveness of the grant program, including a review of the programs developed by the medical schools.

Justification

In New York, as in the Nation, there is an acute under-representation of minorities in medical education programs and, as a consequence, in the licensed profession. Statistics show, for example, that in New York, Blacks and Hispanics account for approximately 25% of the total population, 30% of the public school enrollment and 17% of the undergraduate enrollment; but only 6% of first professional degrees awarded in medicine go to members of those minority groups. Research indicates that the provision of adequate medical services to minority populations is closely related to the number of minority physicians. The provision of such services has been cited as a compelling State interest and stated as an expressed goal by the Board of Regents. New York medical schools have not been successful in attracting the available qualified minority candidates, and in some instances have fallen below national averages and comparable States in enrollment of minorities. Throughout the past several years New York State's medical schools have repeatedly cited the lack of adequate resources as being a major obstacle in their attempts to attract and retain larger numbers of qualified minority students. It is anticipated that a modified New York State program of capitation assistance, which includes incentive awards tied to minority enrollments, will provide the necessary additional resources to medical schools which can then implement better programs to aid in increasing enrollment and retention of qualified minority students. An increase in the number of minority medical school graduates will improve the availability of medical services in many areas of the State.

Prior legislative history

1985-86, A. 7727, Higher Education 1987-88, A. 7935, Higher Education 1989-90, A. 2617, Higher Education 1991-92, A.890, Higher Education 1993-94, A.3099, Higher Education 1995-96, A.5315, Higher Education 1997-98, A.5315, Higher Education 1999-00, A.1660 Higher Education 2005-06, A.9669 Higher Education

Fiscal implications

It is estimated that this bill would require the following appropriations in the fiscal years indicated:

2001-02 $ 501,000 2002-03 $ 915,000 2003-04 $1,476,000 2004-05 $1,873,000 2005-06

Effective date

The first of October next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.