Bill > H2451

This bill improves access to family physicians by making several key changes to existing healthcare workforce regulations. The bill expands the definition of healthcare providers to explicitly include family medicine and family physicians, increases the percentage of healthcare workforce grants from 50% to 95%, and requires the health care workforce center to give preference to training programs that demonstrate a commitment to serving underserved communities. Specifically, the center will prioritize applicants who have a proven track record of placing graduates in areas of unmet need, attracting underrepresented minorities and economically disadvantaged students, or hosting training programs in underserved areas. The bill also modifies residency training requirements, changing the program duration from 9-12 months to 3-4 years and mandating that resident trainees be assigned a continuity panel of patients whom they will see for at least 40 weeks per academic year. Additionally, the bill stipulates that grant amounts for residents must be at least 85% of the average Medicare (CMS) annual reimbursement rate and cover the entire 3-4 year residency period, which aims to provide more stable and comprehensive support for medical training.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H2451