The Legislature finds that:
1. Many of the less populous counties of the State have experienced shortages of physicians, surgeons, anesthetists, dentists, other medical professionals, physician assistants and anesthesiologist assistants.
2. Some of the more populous counties of the State have also experienced shortages of physicians, surgeons, anesthetists, dentists, other medical professionals, physician assistants and anesthesiologist assistants in their rural communities.
3. By granting county scholarships to students in such medical professions who will agree to return to the less populous counties or the rural communities of the more populous counties for residence and practice, these counties can alleviate the shortages to a degree and thereby provide their people with needed health services.