LB 261 proposes to reduce the General Funds allocated to Program 175, the Nebraska Rural Loan Repayment Program, by about $1.5 million.  This will reduce this program to funding below what it was in 2021 when the legislature increased it to an amount that would sustain the program.  Reducing funding for this program will have harmful effects on the rural healthcare workforce for years to come.  In fact, cutting the allocation to this extent may result in the state not even being able to meet contractual obligations to loan repayment recipients currently on a load prepayment contract.

Please contact your state senator to express your support for Program 175, the Nebraska Rural Loan Repayment Program.