| Formal Name: | Rural Health Advisory Commission |
| Contact Person: | Marlene Janssen, Health Program Manager, Office of Rural Health, (402) 471-2337 |
| Purpose: | 71-5655. Commission; purpose.The purpose of the commission shall be to advise the department, the Legislature, the Governor, the University of Nebraska, and the citizens of Nebraska regarding all aspects of rural health care and to advise the office regarding the administration of the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act. |
| How Many Affectable: | 1.8 M (population of Nebraska) |
| How Many Served: | 1.0 M (medically underserved populations in urban areas and populations in rural shortage areas) |
| Year Created: | 1977 |
| Year Active: | 1977 |
| Sunset Date: | Non |
| Authorization Citation: | 71-5650-71-5670 |
| Parent Agency: | Department of Health and Human Services. The Rural Health Advisory Commission (RHAC) is a statutory entity created to advise the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, Governor, Legislature, and University of Nebraska |
| Number Of Members: | 13 |
| Who Appoints: | Governor |
| Legislative Approval: | Yes |
| Qualifications Of Members: | : Nebraska Revised Statutes 71-5654 |
| Per Diem: | No |
| Expense Reimbursement: | Yes (Nebraska Revised Statutes 71-5657) |
| Term Length: | 3 years |
| Terms Rotate or Expire At Once: | Terms Rotate |
| Required FY 13-14: | 4 |
| Held FY 13-14: | 4 |
| Required FY 14-15: | 4 |
| Held FY 14-15: | 4 |
| Required FY 15-16: | 4 |
| Held FY 15-16: | 4 |
| Support Staff: | Yes |
| Shared or Separate: | Shared |
| FY 13-14 Budget: | $0 |
| FY 14-15 Budget: | $0 |
| FY 15-16 Budget: | $0 |
| Other Funding Sources: | None |
| Spending Authority: | Yes, the Rural Health Advisory Commission is authorized by statute (71-5659 (9)) to select recipients for student loans and loan repayment through the rural incentive programs: Nebraska Student Loan Program and the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program. |
| Since July 1, 2012: | Since July 1, 2012: From July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, the Rural Health Advisory Commission selected recipients for a total of 53 student loans (new and continuation awards) to medical, physician assistant, dental, and mental health students. (Student loan awards are made in June each year for the following fiscal year.)From July 1, 2012 through June 30, 2015, the Rural Health Advisory Commission selected recipients for a total of 124 loan repayment awards. Loan repayment applications may be submitted year round and are approved based on the availability of state funds.The Rural Health Advisory Commission submits an annual report to the Legislature, Governor, and DHHS directors. The 2015 Annual Report and Rural Health Recommendations is posted on the Office of Rural Health website at:http:dhhs.ne.govpublichealthRuralHealthDocumentsAnnual%20Report%202015%20FINALWEB.pdf. |