Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 487.556. Powers and Duties of Department

(1) developing contracts under which loan reimbursement or stipend recipients provide services to qualifying communities;

(2) identifying the duties of the state, state agency, loan reimbursement or stipend recipient, and medically underserved community under the loan reimbursement or stipend contract;

(3) determining a rate of interest to be charged under Section 487.555(e)(2);

(4) ensuring that a loan reimbursement or stipend recipient provides access to health services to participants in government-funded health benefits programs in qualifying communities;

(5) encouraging the use of telecommunications or telemedicine, as appropriate;

(6) prioritizing the provision of loan reimbursements and stipends to health professionals who are not eligible for any other state loan forgiveness, loan repayment, or stipend program;

(7) prioritizing the provision of loan reimbursements and stipends to health professionals who are graduates of health professional degree programs in this state;

(8) encouraging a medically underserved community served by a loan reimbursement or stipend recipient to contribute to the cost of the loan reimbursement or stipend when making a contribution is feasible; and

(9) requiring a medically underserved community served by a loan reimbursement or stipend recipient to assist the department in contracting with the loan reimbursement or stipend recipient who will serve that community.