Section 191.980 - Missouri area health education centers program established - authority of director - duties1. The "Missouri Area Health Education Centers" program is hereby established as a collaborative partnership of higher educational institutions and regional area health education centers and other entities that have entered into a written agreement with the program. These higher educational institutions and regional area health education centers shall be those that are recognized as program offices or regional centers by the federal area health education centers program pursuant to 42 U.S.C. Section 294a. The program is designed to improve the supply, distribution, availability, and quality of health care personnel in Missouri communities and promote access to primary care for medically underserved communities and populations.2. The director of the department of health and senior services shall have discretionary authority to monitor and recommend policy direction for the Missouri area health education centers program, including policies to ensure that all applicable requirements of the federal area health education centers program are met.3. The area health education centers program shall:(1) Develop and enhance health careers recruitment programs for Missouri students, especially underrepresented and disadvantaged students;(2) Enhance and support community-based training of health professions students and medical residents;(3) Provide educational and other programs designed to support practicing health professionals; and(4) Collaborate with health, education, and human services organizations to design, facilitate, and promote programs to improve access to health care and health status in Missouri.Amended by 2018 Mo. Laws, SB 843,s A, eff. 8/28/2018. L. 2004S.B. 1274 § 191.1015