Bill > S0670

This bill establishes the Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to address the critical shortage of primary care healthcare providers in Rhode Island. The program will provide scholarships for medical students, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants, with up to 5 new scholarships awarded each year in each category. Medical students can receive up to $70,000 per year for four years, while nurse practitioners and physician assistants can receive up to $47,000 per year for two years. In exchange, scholarship recipients must commit to working in Rhode Island providing primary care services for two years for each year of scholarship funding received. The scholarship aims to recruit and retain healthcare professionals by helping offset education costs and addressing the state's growing healthcare needs, particularly with an aging population. Applicants must have excellent academic standing, be accepted to an accredited U.S. medical, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant program, and agree to work in primary care in Rhode Island after graduation. The program will be administered by the director of the Department of Health in consultation with the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education, with an initial appropriation of $1 million for fiscal year 2025-2026. If recipients fail to fulfill their work commitment, they will be required to repay the scholarship funds, with interest.

Budget and Finance

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