Section 144-512-III - PRIORITIZING THE HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SHORTAGE AREASA. Students from communities which are in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area may apply.B. Criteria to be used to determine the priority for selection of areas when applications exceed the funding available, from highest points to lesser points, are: 1. Population/primary care provider ratio--a point for each 100 people above the 1000:1 ratio based on current data.2. Socio-economic status--percent of the population whose income is below 200 poverty by the latest figures available, with a point per every percentage point over 35%.3. Percentage of elderly-a point for every percentage point over 10%.4. Percentage of Medicaid eligible population-Ranked from the highest to lowest percentage. Data will be taken from the latest figures available from the Bureau of Medical Services, or data available as of March 31 each year.10- 144 C.M.R. ch. 512, § III