What's Being Discussed

The Hawaii Medical Education Council (HMEC) is meeting to review the state's healthcare workforce needs and medical training programs. Key topics include:

• Recent state legislation affecting JABSOM, including bills related to healthcare loan repayment, a preceptor tax credit for doctors who train students, the state budget, Alzheimer's and dementia research, and university health workforce programs
• Planning for the 2027 legislative session, based on the council's annual report findings
• Physician workforce updates, including efforts to bring doctors to rural areas through the Rural Health Transformation Program
• Healthcare Education Loan Program (HELP), which helps healthcare workers afford training in exchange for working in Hawaii
• Updates on residency and fellowship programs, which train doctors after they finish medical school

Decisions Expected

• Approval of minutes from the previous meeting
• Possible agreement on recommendations and strategies to bring to the 2027 state legislature regarding healthcare workforce needs

Who Should Pay Attention

• Healthcare workers and medical students interested in loan repayment programs or training opportunities in Hawaii
• Residents in rural or underserved communities who depend on local access to physicians
• Physicians and medical educators involved in or affected by residency programs and workforce initiatives
• Anyone concerned about Alzheimer's or dementia care in Hawaii
• Taxpayers and policymakers interested in how state funds support medical education and healthcare access

The meeting is open to the public in person at UH JABSOM in Honolulu or via Zoom. Public comment is welcome at the start and before each agenda item.