2008 News
:: Governor Spitzer’s 2008-2009 Executive Budget is Encouraging for NYS’ Medical Schools
2007 AMSNY News
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Governor Spitzer’s 2008-2009 Executive Budget is Encouraging for NYS’ Medical Schools
Despite alarming news of NYS’ budget deficit, Governor Spitzer’s support for AMSNY programs and health-related initiatives in his SFY 2008- 2009 Executive Budget was encouraging. The Governor’s proposed budget significantly increases funding for AMSNY’s Post Baccalaureate (Post-Bac) Program, Physician Career Enhancement Program and Academic Counseling Program. The Post-Bac Program is a joint initiative with the SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and provides college students from economically and educationally disadvantaged areas the chance to enhance their academic performance before they enter medical school. Both the Physician Career Enhancement Program and the Academic Counseling Programs offer underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged students training and guidance, to increase their access to the field of medicine. The allocation of $2 million a year for calendar years 2008-2010, will enable AMSNY to fund current, and create new, diversity programs.
In addition, the budget maintains funding for the STEP/CSTEP programs at $19 million, allowing AMSNY to continue funding of it’s 10 statewide STEP programs. The STEP program is an educational enrichment program that enhances and strengthens prerequisite math and science skills of disadvantaged high school and undergraduate college students.
In an effort to address the physician shortage in New York State, Governor Spitzer has also proposed the “Doctor’s Across New York” program. This program will implement a Physician Loan Repayment Program that will award funding to primary care doctors who commit to practice at least 5 years in an under-served area. The funds will be regionally allocated throughout the state with 1/3 going to New York City and the remaining 2/3 going to the rest of the state. However, participating physicians who practice in an underserved area less than 2 years must repay funds, with interest. The “Doctor’s Across New York” Program also includes, Physician Practice Support, Study on Physician Workforce and funding for NYS Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Initiatives, all of which will help enhance the understanding of the needs of physicians and communities throughout New York State. AMSNY has been advocating, with the Hospital Association of New York State (HANYS) and the Medical Society of New York State (MSSNY), for a similar program for over a year and endorses the Governor’s proposal.
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