§ 20-12-201 - Purpose.
20-12-201. Purpose.
(a) The General Assembly is cognizant of an extreme shortage in the rural areas of this state of obstetricians, gynecologists, general pediatricians, general internists, and family practice physicians.
(b) (1) The providing of incentives to attract and encourage obstetricians, gynecologists, general pediatricians, general internists, and family practice physicians to establish their practices within a rural area of this state is essential to the protection of the public health, welfare, and safety of the people of this state.
(2) By providing a source of low interest funds, the State of Arkansas can offer incentives to obstetricians, gynecologists, general pediatricians, general internists, and family practice physicians to establish medical clinics in rural areas to meet the medical needs of thousands of citizens of this state.
(c) The procedures set forth in this subchapter to provide loans to these medical practitioners in rural areas for the establishment of medical clinics are deemed to be in the public interest and essential to the preservation of the public health and safety in rural areas.