AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

SB 670 establishes the Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to help address the shortage of primary care providers in Rhode Island. This program offers scholarships to students pursuing careers as physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Administered by the Department of Health, it provides up to $70,000 annually for medical students and $47,000 for nurse practitioner or physician assistant students. In exchange for this funding, recipients must agree to work in primary care in Rhode Island after completing their education and licensing. The program aims to award up to five new scholarships per academic year for each professional category.