Bill > H7588

This bill establishes a new chapter in Rhode Island law to provide ongoing state funding for the Thundermist family medicine residency program, which is recognized as crucial for addressing healthcare needs, especially in underserved areas, and for training future primary care physicians. Specifically, it appropriates $500,000 annually, starting in fiscal year 2027, to support the program's operations, including resident and faculty recruitment, curriculum development, expansion of training sites, equipment acquisition, and administrative functions, with the Department of Health overseeing the funds in collaboration with the Thundermist health center. The bill also mandates that the residency program submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Department of Health detailing how the funds are used, the program's outcomes, and its impact on primary care access in Rhode Island, and it includes a standard severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the rest remains in effect. This act is set to become effective on July 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

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