Bill Sponsors
Lauria, DiMario, Murray, Valverde, Kallman, Ujifusa, Pearson, Zurier, Urso, and Euer
Committee
Senate Finance
Summary
Select
This legislation creates the Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program to address the shortage of primary care providers in Rhode Island. It offers financial scholarships to students in medical school, nurse practitioner programs, and physician assistant programs. In exchange for funding (up to $70,000 per year for medical students and $47,000 for others), recipients must sign a contract agreeing to work in Rhode Island providing primary care for a specific duration after graduation. If a recipient fails to fulfill the work requirement, they must repay the scholarship funds with interest. Funding begins in July 2026.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Directly addresses the critical shortage of primary care providers, ensuring better access to essential healthcare services for the community and potentially lowering overall health costs.
- mandates that selection criteria include the identification of scholars to match the diversity of Rhode Island's population, promoting equity within the medical field.
- Reduces the heavy burden of student loan debt for aspiring medical professionals, potentially allowing students from lower-income backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine.
Cons for Progressives
- Transfers $500,000 from the Wavemaker Fellowships Program, which supports STEM and design graduates, potentially weakening one educational support system to fund another.
- Limits the number of new scholarships to only five per category per year, which may be insufficient to make a systemic dent in the healthcare crisis.
- Subsidizes high-earning potential careers (doctors) rather than focusing resources on lower-paid essential support staff or direct social safety net expansions.
Pros for Conservatives
- Utilizes a "work for aid" contract model, ensuring that taxpayer money yields a direct return on investment in the form of guaranteed medical services for the state.
- Includes strong enforcement mechanisms, such as promissory notes and interest penalties, to reclaim funds if recipients fail to meet their contractual obligations.
- Addresses a labor shortage through workforce development incentives rather than creating a new government-run healthcare delivery system or entitlement.
Cons for Conservatives
- Increases government spending by appropriating $1,000,000 annually and authorizing the hiring of a new full-time state employee to administer the program.
- Represents government interference in the free market by picking winners and losers, subsidizing specific professions over others with taxpayer revenue.
- Establishes an open-ended commitment for future appropriations, likely leading to increased government budgets and taxpayer burden in subsequent years.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Medical Students
- Nurse Practitioner Students
- Physician Assistant Students
- Primary Care Patients
- Department of Health
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
$0.64
Revenue Generated
None
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 01/16/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Finance
Bill Text
SECTION 1. The general assembly hereby makes the following findings of fact:
(1) Primary care healthcare in the State of Rhode Island is in crisis.
(2) There currently exists a national and regional shortage of primary care healthcare providers.
(3) Many primary care healthcare providers are retiring early and many more are approaching retirement age.
(4) Primary care healthcare is provided by physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants and the overall numbers of medical professionals entering the field of primary care healthcare is declining.
(5) It is increasingly difficult for primary care practices to hire nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health clinicians and other key staff, which is leading to even higher burnout among primary care providers.
(6) Fewer students are going into primary care as a profession due to lower salaries, high student loans and increasing administrative burden leading to provider burnout.
(7) Our aging Rhode Island population requires more medical care.
(8) As a state, we must recruit, train, retain and sustain the number of primary care providers sufficient to meet the population health needs of all Rhode Islanders.
(9) Investments in primary care are essential for access to health services, improving the health of the population and reducing overall healthcare costs.
SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 1.12 THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
23-1.12-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program".
23-1.12-2. Establishment of scholarship program.
There is hereby established the medical primary care scholarship program to be administered by the director of the department of health in consultation with the commissioner of post-secondary education. This program shall be aligned with the RIDOH office of primary care and rural health and leverage existing infrastructure with the loan repayment program.
23-1.12-3. Definitions.
When used in this chapter, the following words are construed as follows:
(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of postsecondary education appointed pursuant to the provisions of § 16-59-6.
(2) "Director" means the director of the department of health holding office pursuant to the provisions of §§ 42-6-9 and 42-6-10.
(3) "Primary care" means healthcare services that cover a range of prevention, wellness and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. Primary care includes patients making an initial approach to a healthcare professional for treatment as well as long-term relationships established between a patient and a healthcare professional and may include family medicine or medical care, general internal medicine or medical care, and general medical practice.
(4) "Scholarship program" means the medical primary care scholarship program established pursuant to § 23-1.12-2.
23-1.12-4. Powers.
The director, in consultation with the commissioner, is authorized and empowered:
(1) To adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter if necessary;
(2) To adopt selection criteria, consistent with the provisions of this chapter to include, but not be limited to:
(i) Identification of exemplary scholars seeking to serve as a medical professional;
(ii) Identification of scholars demonstrating a strong desire to establish and work in the primary care healthcare area; LC003656 - Page 2 of 7
(iii) Identification of scholars who have a demonstrated connection to or desire to establish a long-term professional commitment to serving as a primary care provider in the State of Rhode Island; and
(iv) Identification of scholars to match the diversity of Rhode Island's population;
(3) To establish, if the director deems it advisable, a nonprofit organization registered with the secretary of state, as the entity to administer and operate all administrative program services to be operated under the direct supervision of the director;
(4) To leverage loan repayment infrastructure to establish an application procedure for scholarship consideration and awarding of scholarships;
(5) To supervise the disbursement of the scholarship fund; and
(6) To perform all other acts necessary to carry out the intent, purpose and provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-5. Eligibility for medical school scholarship.
To be eligible for medical school scholarship consideration, an applicant shall:
(1) Complete the application procedure established by the director;
(2) Be graduating or having graduated from an accredited college or university;
(3) Have an established record of excellent academic standing;
(4) Have been accepted for admission in a medical school in the United States; and
(5) Comply with all requirements and conditions of the scholarship program and the provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-6. Eligibility for nurse practitioner or physician assistant scholarship.
To be eligible for a scholarship for attendance at a nurse practitioner or physician assistant
educational training institution or program, an applicant shall:
(1) Complete the application procedure established by the director;
(2) Have completed all educational requirements for admission to the nurse practitioner or physician assistant educational training program;
(3) Have an established record of excellent academic standing;
(4) Have been accepted for admission in a degree or educational training program located in the United States for nurse practitioners or physician assistants; and
(5) Comply with all requirements and conditions of the program established pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-7. Award of scholarship - Conditions.
(a) At any time that sufficient funds become available, the director may award up to five (5) new medical school scholarships per academic year, five (5) new nurse practitioner scholarships LC003656 - Page 3 of 7 per academic year, and five (5) new physician assistant scholarships per academic year.
(b) Any medical school scholarship awarded shall continue for a period of four (4) years and any nurse practitioner or physician assistant scholarship shall continue for a period of two (2) years; provided the recipient maintains good academic standing and continues to comply with all rules, regulations and conditions of the scholarship program.
(c) The maximum award for a recipient of the medical school scholarship shall be seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) per academic year.
(d) The maximum award for a recipient of the nurse practitioner or the physician assistant scholarship shall be forty seven thousand dollars ($47,000) per academic year.
(e) All recipients for scholarship funds shall execute a contract agreeing to work in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services upon completion of their respective education, licensing and any applicable internship. In addition to the contract, each recipient shall sign a promissory note for all funds received from the scholarship program. The contract and promissory note shall be prepared by the commissioner in consultation with the attorney general.
(f) Every contract shall be negotiated and approved pursuant to the provisions of § 42-11- 11.
23-1.12-8. Contract and promissory note.
(a) Every recipient of scholarship funds pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall execute a contract negotiated and approved pursuant to § 42-11-11, and a promissory note prior to the receipt of any funds.
(b) The contract shall require the recipient to:
(1) Attend full-time the specified academic institution or educational program which shall qualify the recipient to provide primary care healthcare services;
(2) Maintain academic good standing;
(3) Graduate on time for a full-time student attending the academic institution or program; and
(4) Agree upon graduation and licensing to provide two (2) years of full-time work or part- time work, defined as twenty-four (24) hours per week. The part-time work commitment would be prorated to the number of years required to fulfill the work obligation, providing primary care health services in Rhode Island for each year a scholarship award was received.
(c) The contract shall provide that for every two (2) year period that the scholarship recipient following graduation, works full-time in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services, then the amount of the scholarship award received by the recipient for one academic year shall be forgiven and cancelled. If the recipient has received the maximum scholarship award over LC003656 - Page 4 of 7 four (4) academic years then upon eight (8) years of working full-time, or the prorated equivalent for part time work, in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services then all scholarship funds received shall be forgiven and the promissory note cancelled.
23-1.12-9. Repayment of funds.
(a) Any recipient of scholarship funds who fails to comply with the rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to § 23-1.12-3, the provisions of this chapter or the terms of the contract for receipt of funds shall immediately pay and return all funds received to the director.
(b) All scholarship funds shall be repaid to the director if:
(1) The student fails to complete the educational program;
(2) The student fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section; or
(3) The student fails to work full-time or part-time providing primary care healthcare services in Rhode Island for any of the required contract period of time following graduation and licensing.
(c) Partial scholarship funds shall be repaid to the director should the recipient partially fulfill the contract obligation but fails to work two (2) years providing full-time or part-time prorated equivalent primary care healthcare service in Rhode Island for every year scholarship funds were received. The reimbursement shall be pro-rated for qualified time working applied to the gross amount received by the recipient.
(d) Interest shall accrue on all funds owed by the recipient pursuant to the provisions of § 9-21-10.
(e) The attorney general is authorized and empowered to bring proceedings to recover all amounts due under the provisions of this section.
(f) All sums recovered pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be redeposited in the restricted receipt account to implement the scholarship program.
23-1.12-10. Appropriations.
(a) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, there is hereby appropriated, a transfer of the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) from the Wavemaker Fellowships Program established in chapter 64.26 of title 42, and out of money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for a total of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year deposited into a restricted receipt account to implement the scholarship program established in § 23-1.12-2; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw to the controller's orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon the receipt by the general treasurer of properly authenticated vouchers submitted by the commissioner on an annual basis over a minimum period of four (4) LC003656 - Page 5 of 7 years. A portion of the funding may be used for one full-time employee to administer the scholarship program.
(b) For fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year thereafter, the general assembly shall annually appropriate a sum as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw the controller's orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum or sums or so much thereof as may be required from time to time to be deposited in a restricted receipt account upon receipt by the general treasurer of properly authenticated vouchers submitted by the commissioner.
23-1.12-11. Audits.
(a) The commissioner shall submit annually all financial records and receipts of disbursements to the auditor general and the director of administration.
(b) The auditor general and the director of administration are authorized to review and audit all records, receipts, disbursements and transactions concerning the scholarship program and the funds associated with the scholarship program.
23-1.12-12. Reports.
Commencing December 31, 2027, and every December 31 thereafter, the commissioner shall report annually to the general assembly and the governor on the status and progress of the scholarship program established and administered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-13. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule or regulation and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by its invalidity. The invalidity of any section or sections or portion of any section or sections of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
(1) Primary care healthcare in the State of Rhode Island is in crisis.
(2) There currently exists a national and regional shortage of primary care healthcare providers.
(3) Many primary care healthcare providers are retiring early and many more are approaching retirement age.
(4) Primary care healthcare is provided by physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants and the overall numbers of medical professionals entering the field of primary care healthcare is declining.
(5) It is increasingly difficult for primary care practices to hire nurses, medical assistants, behavioral health clinicians and other key staff, which is leading to even higher burnout among primary care providers.
(6) Fewer students are going into primary care as a profession due to lower salaries, high student loans and increasing administrative burden leading to provider burnout.
(7) Our aging Rhode Island population requires more medical care.
(8) As a state, we must recruit, train, retain and sustain the number of primary care providers sufficient to meet the population health needs of all Rhode Islanders.
(9) Investments in primary care are essential for access to health services, improving the health of the population and reducing overall healthcare costs.
SECTION 2. Title 23 of the General Laws entitled "HEALTH AND SAFETY" is hereby
amended by adding thereto the following chapter: CHAPTER 1.12 THE MEDICAL PRIMARY CARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
23-1.12-1. Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "The Medical Primary Care Scholarship Program".
23-1.12-2. Establishment of scholarship program.
There is hereby established the medical primary care scholarship program to be administered by the director of the department of health in consultation with the commissioner of post-secondary education. This program shall be aligned with the RIDOH office of primary care and rural health and leverage existing infrastructure with the loan repayment program.
23-1.12-3. Definitions.
When used in this chapter, the following words are construed as follows:
(1) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of postsecondary education appointed pursuant to the provisions of § 16-59-6.
(2) "Director" means the director of the department of health holding office pursuant to the provisions of §§ 42-6-9 and 42-6-10.
(3) "Primary care" means healthcare services that cover a range of prevention, wellness and treatment for common illnesses and injuries. Primary care includes patients making an initial approach to a healthcare professional for treatment as well as long-term relationships established between a patient and a healthcare professional and may include family medicine or medical care, general internal medicine or medical care, and general medical practice.
(4) "Scholarship program" means the medical primary care scholarship program established pursuant to § 23-1.12-2.
23-1.12-4. Powers.
The director, in consultation with the commissioner, is authorized and empowered:
(1) To adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of this chapter if necessary;
(2) To adopt selection criteria, consistent with the provisions of this chapter to include, but not be limited to:
(i) Identification of exemplary scholars seeking to serve as a medical professional;
(ii) Identification of scholars demonstrating a strong desire to establish and work in the primary care healthcare area; LC003656 - Page 2 of 7
(iii) Identification of scholars who have a demonstrated connection to or desire to establish a long-term professional commitment to serving as a primary care provider in the State of Rhode Island; and
(iv) Identification of scholars to match the diversity of Rhode Island's population;
(3) To establish, if the director deems it advisable, a nonprofit organization registered with the secretary of state, as the entity to administer and operate all administrative program services to be operated under the direct supervision of the director;
(4) To leverage loan repayment infrastructure to establish an application procedure for scholarship consideration and awarding of scholarships;
(5) To supervise the disbursement of the scholarship fund; and
(6) To perform all other acts necessary to carry out the intent, purpose and provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-5. Eligibility for medical school scholarship.
To be eligible for medical school scholarship consideration, an applicant shall:
(1) Complete the application procedure established by the director;
(2) Be graduating or having graduated from an accredited college or university;
(3) Have an established record of excellent academic standing;
(4) Have been accepted for admission in a medical school in the United States; and
(5) Comply with all requirements and conditions of the scholarship program and the provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-6. Eligibility for nurse practitioner or physician assistant scholarship.
To be eligible for a scholarship for attendance at a nurse practitioner or physician assistant
educational training institution or program, an applicant shall:
(1) Complete the application procedure established by the director;
(2) Have completed all educational requirements for admission to the nurse practitioner or physician assistant educational training program;
(3) Have an established record of excellent academic standing;
(4) Have been accepted for admission in a degree or educational training program located in the United States for nurse practitioners or physician assistants; and
(5) Comply with all requirements and conditions of the program established pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-7. Award of scholarship - Conditions.
(a) At any time that sufficient funds become available, the director may award up to five (5) new medical school scholarships per academic year, five (5) new nurse practitioner scholarships LC003656 - Page 3 of 7 per academic year, and five (5) new physician assistant scholarships per academic year.
(b) Any medical school scholarship awarded shall continue for a period of four (4) years and any nurse practitioner or physician assistant scholarship shall continue for a period of two (2) years; provided the recipient maintains good academic standing and continues to comply with all rules, regulations and conditions of the scholarship program.
(c) The maximum award for a recipient of the medical school scholarship shall be seventy thousand dollars ($70,000) per academic year.
(d) The maximum award for a recipient of the nurse practitioner or the physician assistant scholarship shall be forty seven thousand dollars ($47,000) per academic year.
(e) All recipients for scholarship funds shall execute a contract agreeing to work in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services upon completion of their respective education, licensing and any applicable internship. In addition to the contract, each recipient shall sign a promissory note for all funds received from the scholarship program. The contract and promissory note shall be prepared by the commissioner in consultation with the attorney general.
(f) Every contract shall be negotiated and approved pursuant to the provisions of § 42-11- 11.
23-1.12-8. Contract and promissory note.
(a) Every recipient of scholarship funds pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall execute a contract negotiated and approved pursuant to § 42-11-11, and a promissory note prior to the receipt of any funds.
(b) The contract shall require the recipient to:
(1) Attend full-time the specified academic institution or educational program which shall qualify the recipient to provide primary care healthcare services;
(2) Maintain academic good standing;
(3) Graduate on time for a full-time student attending the academic institution or program; and
(4) Agree upon graduation and licensing to provide two (2) years of full-time work or part- time work, defined as twenty-four (24) hours per week. The part-time work commitment would be prorated to the number of years required to fulfill the work obligation, providing primary care health services in Rhode Island for each year a scholarship award was received.
(c) The contract shall provide that for every two (2) year period that the scholarship recipient following graduation, works full-time in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services, then the amount of the scholarship award received by the recipient for one academic year shall be forgiven and cancelled. If the recipient has received the maximum scholarship award over LC003656 - Page 4 of 7 four (4) academic years then upon eight (8) years of working full-time, or the prorated equivalent for part time work, in Rhode Island providing primary care healthcare services then all scholarship funds received shall be forgiven and the promissory note cancelled.
23-1.12-9. Repayment of funds.
(a) Any recipient of scholarship funds who fails to comply with the rules or regulations promulgated pursuant to § 23-1.12-3, the provisions of this chapter or the terms of the contract for receipt of funds shall immediately pay and return all funds received to the director.
(b) All scholarship funds shall be repaid to the director if:
(1) The student fails to complete the educational program;
(2) The student fails to comply with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section; or
(3) The student fails to work full-time or part-time providing primary care healthcare services in Rhode Island for any of the required contract period of time following graduation and licensing.
(c) Partial scholarship funds shall be repaid to the director should the recipient partially fulfill the contract obligation but fails to work two (2) years providing full-time or part-time prorated equivalent primary care healthcare service in Rhode Island for every year scholarship funds were received. The reimbursement shall be pro-rated for qualified time working applied to the gross amount received by the recipient.
(d) Interest shall accrue on all funds owed by the recipient pursuant to the provisions of § 9-21-10.
(e) The attorney general is authorized and empowered to bring proceedings to recover all amounts due under the provisions of this section.
(f) All sums recovered pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be redeposited in the restricted receipt account to implement the scholarship program.
23-1.12-10. Appropriations.
(a) For the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, there is hereby appropriated, a transfer of the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) from the Wavemaker Fellowships Program established in chapter 64.26 of title 42, and out of money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for a total of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year deposited into a restricted receipt account to implement the scholarship program established in § 23-1.12-2; and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw to the controller's orders upon the general treasurer for payment of said sum, or so much thereof as may be from time to time required, upon the receipt by the general treasurer of properly authenticated vouchers submitted by the commissioner on an annual basis over a minimum period of four (4) LC003656 - Page 5 of 7 years. A portion of the funding may be used for one full-time employee to administer the scholarship program.
(b) For fiscal year 2027-2028, and each fiscal year thereafter, the general assembly shall annually appropriate a sum as it may deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, and the state controller is hereby authorized and directed to draw the controller's orders upon the general treasurer for the payment of the sum or sums or so much thereof as may be required from time to time to be deposited in a restricted receipt account upon receipt by the general treasurer of properly authenticated vouchers submitted by the commissioner.
23-1.12-11. Audits.
(a) The commissioner shall submit annually all financial records and receipts of disbursements to the auditor general and the director of administration.
(b) The auditor general and the director of administration are authorized to review and audit all records, receipts, disbursements and transactions concerning the scholarship program and the funds associated with the scholarship program.
23-1.12-12. Reports.
Commencing December 31, 2027, and every December 31 thereafter, the commissioner shall report annually to the general assembly and the governor on the status and progress of the scholarship program established and administered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
23-1.12-13. Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the chapter, rule or regulation and the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected by its invalidity. The invalidity of any section or sections or portion of any section or sections of this chapter shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this chapter.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.