Bill > A4613

This bill renames, extends eligibility, and makes various other changes to the Primary Care Practitioner Loan Redemption Program. Key provisions include: - Renaming the program to the "Health Care Professional Loan Redemption Program" and expanding eligibility beyond primary care practitioners to include psychiatrists and other health care professionals designated by the Commissioner of Health. - Increasing the total loan redemption cap from $120,000 to $200,000 for participants employed at approved sites, which include areas designated as medically underserved or health professional shortage areas. - Establishing automatic criteria for a site to be approved, such as participating in Medicaid/Medicare, serving a certain percentage of medically underserved populations, and using a sliding fee scale. - Requiring the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to annually report on the program, including participant demographics, employment information, and the program's impact on healthcare labor demand in the state. - Appropriating $10 million to the Authority to implement the changes in this bill. The overall goal is to expand access to healthcare services in underserved areas of New Jersey by providing greater financial incentives for a broader range of healthcare professionals to practice in those communities.

Budget and Finance, Education, Health and Social Services

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2022/A4613