EB2853CF25736310872583D0006CFB0C Hearing Summary

Representatives Wilson and Buentello, co-sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1241, concerning the rural track in the University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine. Beginning in the 2019-20 academic year, the bill requires that the CU School of Medicine provide educational support services and scholarships to students participating in the rural track program and cover housing expenses of rural track students while located in rural or frontier areas. The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

The following people provided testimony:

Dr. Patrick Smith, representing himself as a doctor in La Junta, testified remotely in support of the bill and answered questions from the committee.

Dr. Lisa Zwerdlinger, representing herself as a rural physician, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Mark Deutchman, CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Deutchman and Dr. Zwerdlinger responded to questions from the committee.

Cameron Niswander, representing himself as a medical student at CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Molly Thayer, representing herself as a student at the CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

John Hallett, representing himself as a student at CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

The above three-person panel answered questions from the committee.

Queenie Kisang, representing herself as a student at CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Emily Bressan, representing herself as a student at CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Cara Campbell, representing herself as a student at CU School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Kelly Erb, Colorado Rural Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Representatives Wilson and Buentello made concluding comments on the bill, and committee discussion ensued.