Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 4.djvu/194

 102 STAT. 3164

PUBLIC LAW 100-607—NOV. 4, 1988 the United States in an amount equal to 100 percent of the principal and interest due on the login. "(d) CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO HEALTH CARE

Regulations.

FACILITIES.—The Secretary may not make a loan under subsection (a) unless, with respect to contracts referred to in such subsection— "(1) the applicant for the loan has entered into such a contract with a health care facility that is a nonprofit hospital or a long-term care facility certified under title XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act; "(2) such health care facility is located in a geographic area that is underserved with respect to the services of nurses, as designated pursuant to subsection (e); "(3) the contract provides that the health care facility will repay 100 percent of the principal and interest of the loan made to the applicant under subsection (a); "(4) the contract provides that, in serving as a nurse at the health care facility, the payments made by the facility on behalf of the applicant in repayment of the loan will be in addition to the pay that the applicant would otherwise receive for such service; and "(5) the contract provides that, in the event the health care facility violates the contract, the facility will be liable to the United States in an amount equal to 100 percent of the principal and interest due on such loan. "(e) DESIGNATION OF UNDERSERVED GEOGRAPHIC AREAS.—For purposes of subsection (d)(2), the Secretary shall through regulation establish criteria for the designation of such areas. The Secretary may, as appropriate, designate geographic areas using criteria in section 330(b)(4). "(f) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF LOAN.—The Secretary may not provide

Regulations.

a loan under subsection (a) in an amount exceeding 100 percent of the costs described in subsection (c)(2). "(g) INTEREST.—Loans awarded under this section shall bear interest on the unpaid balance of the loan at a rate of 5 percent per annum. Such interest shall accrue from the date the individual involved is no longer enrolled in the nursing program. "(h) WAIVER OR SUSPENSION OF STUDENT OBLIGATIONS.—The Secretary shall by regulation provide for the waiver or suspension of any obligation of any individual receiving a loan under subsection (a) whenever compliance by the individual is impossible or would involve extreme hardship to the individual. "(i) REQUIREMENT OF APPLICATION.—The Secretary may not make a loan under subsection (a) unless— "(1) an application for the loan is submitted to the Secretary; "(2) with respect to carrying out the purpose for which the loan is to be made, the application provides assurances of compliance satisfactory to the Secretary; and "(3) the application otherwise is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this section, "(j) SET-ASIDE WITH RESPECT TO RURAL AREAS.—Of the amounts appropriated for a fiscal year pursuant to subsection (1), the Secretary shall make available not less than 35 percent for loans under subsection (a) to individuals who will, pursuant to such loan, serve as nurses in rural areas designated under subsection (e) as geo-

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