make an appropriation to reimburse health care professionals who have complied with the requirements for rural recruitment assistance programs, and to declare an emergency.

Funding reimburses rural health care professionals

The law provides South Dakota’s Department of Health with general-fund money for rural recruitment program reimbursements. It sets aside $978,294 for four family physicians, two physician assistants, and six nurse practitioners. The department must find that these professionals met the requirements of § 34-12G-3. Another $370,000 reimburses health professionals the department finds have met the requirements of § 34-12G-12. The law does not set individual payment amounts or the number of recipients for the second fund. The health secretary approves payment vouchers, and the state auditor issues payments. Money not legally spent or committed returns under state budget procedures. An emergency clause makes the law effective upon passage and approval.