Bill > S891

This bill establishes a primary care workforce development and loan forgiveness grant program at community health centers in Massachusetts, aimed at recruiting and retaining primary care professionals. The program, to be administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, will provide loan repayment assistance to clinicians and bachelor's degree-level mental health and primary care professionals, including community health workers, recovery coaches, and family partners. Eligibility requirements include working at a community health center, having outstanding educational debt, not participating in other loan repayment programs, and committing to work in the Commonwealth for at least 4 years. The program prioritizes recruiting a culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse workforce, and loan repayment assistance will be pro-rated for part-time workers. Participants who fail to meet program requirements will face penalties and repayment procedures. The program will be funded through the Behavioral Health and Community-Based Primary Care Reserve, which was established by a previous act in 2021, with the goal of addressing workforce shortages and improving access to primary care in underserved communities.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S891