A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to appropriate funds to the board of governors of the university of north carolina to develop plans for the construction of a new medical education building at the brody school of medicine at east carolina university.
Whereas, for more than 40 years, the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University has successfully fulfilled a three‑fold statutory mission to (i) increase the supply of primary care physicians serving North Carolina, (ii) improve the health status of citizens in Eastern North Carolina, and (iii) enhance the access of minority and disadvantaged students to a medical education; and
Whereas, the Brody School of Medicine has become an economic force in North Carolina, with graduates contributing more than $3 billion annually to the State's economy; and
Whereas, more than 1,400 graduates of the Brody School of Medicine practice medicine in 83 of North Carolina's 100 counties; and
Whereas, the Brody School of Medicine consistently addresses the statewide shortage of primary care physicians, with a higher percentage of its graduates remaining in primary care in North Carolina five years after graduation than any other school in the State; and
Whereas, nearly 70% of the graduates of the Brody School of Medicine who complete residencies at its affiliated hospital, Vidant Medical Center, remain in North Carolina and practice medicine in the State; and
Whereas, tuition at the Brody School of Medicine ranks among the lowest in the United States, making it accessible and affordable, and its graduates depart on average with $50,000 less debt than their peers nationwide; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Notwithstanding G.S. 143C‑3‑3(b), there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina the sum of fourteen million three hundred thousand dollars ($14,300,000) for the 2019‑2020 fiscal year to be allocated to East Carolina University (ECU) to develop plans for the construction of a new medical education building at the Brody School of Medicine at ECU.
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2019.