Michelle Herrick

PIERRE (CNS) – A bill that allows more physicians to participate in a tuition reimbursement program that helps service small communities in the state has passed the full Legislature.

The program applies to physicians who have just completed their residency. It reimburses three years of tuition while the physician is practicing in a South Dakota community with less than 10,000 people.

So far the program has provided family care physicians in seven communities: Belle Fourche, Hot Springs, Martin, Mobridge, Parkston, Platte and Webster.

“It’s been a highly successful tool that our smaller communities use across the state of South Dakota to help recruit and retain family practice physicians,” said Sen. Ed Olson, R-Mitchell.

The bill passed the Senate 33-0. It has already passed the House. It now goes to the governor for consideration.