Bill Summary for S 741 (2017-2018)

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Summary date: 

May 23 2018

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
Senate Bill 741 (Public) Filed Wednesday, May 23, 2018
AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, FOR THE STATE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM AND DIRECTING THE OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, TO ENSURE ITS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM IS TARGETED TO BENEFIT HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN RURAL NORTH CAROLINA, INCLUDING IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR DENTISTS IN RURAL AREAS AND TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AS RECOMMENDED BY THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION.
Intro. by Curtis, McInnis, Britt.

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Bill summary

Identical to H 999 filed on 5/23/18.

Appropriates from the General Fund to the Office of Rural Health, Department of Health and Human Services (Office of Rural Health), $3 million in recurring funds for the 2018-19 fiscal year to supplement current funding for the NC State Loan Repayment Program (Program). Specifies that $800,000 must be used for repayment of loans owed by physician assistants and nurse practitioners who provide primary care services in rural areas of the State.

Directs the Office of Rural Health to structure the Program to align with three specific goals: (1) increase the number of healthcare providers in rural areas; (2) coordinate with the National Health Service Corps and Federal Loan Repayment programs, and any other publicly or privately funded programs, to maximize funding to increase the number of healthcare providers in rural areas; and (3) encourage the recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural areas.

Further directs the Office of Rural Health to work with data from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research as well as other sources to identify the need for dentists in rural areas, and develop a recommendation to target loan repayment funds for dentists in rural areas that have been identified as having the greatest need.

Requires the Office of Rural Health to submit an interim report on or before October 1, 2018, and a final report on or before October 1, 2019, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services.

Effective July 1, 2018.