Bill > H2047

This bill establishes an Eye and Vision Care Center within the department to improve access to eye and vision health care services in rural and underserved communities by coordinating workforce activities, monitoring access trends, identifying underserved areas, and addressing healthcare workforce shortages through loan repayment and incentive programs. The bill also creates an Eye and Vision Care Advisory Council to advise the center on workforce capacity and service delivery, and establishes a loan repayment and tuition relief program for optometrists and ophthalmologists who agree to serve in underserved areas for a minimum of two years, with the center responsible for developing criteria to identify these areas and reporting annually on the program's effectiveness.