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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1075 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 781
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Liz Miranda
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the primary care workforce development and loan repayment grant program at
community health centers.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Liz MirandaSecond SuffolkRebecca L. RauschNorfolk, Worcester and Middlesex2/7/2023Sal N. DiDomenicoMiddlesex and Suffolk2/7/2023Thomas M. Stanley9th Middlesex2/8/2023John J. CroninWorcester and Middlesex2/8/2023Joanne M. ComerfordHampshire, Franklin and Worcester2/8/2023Jack Patrick Lewis7th Middlesex2/8/2023John F. KeenanNorfolk and Plymouth2/8/2023Jason M. LewisFifth Middlesex2/8/2023James K. Hawkins2nd Bristol2/8/2023Vanna Howard17th Middlesex2/13/2023Pavel M. PayanoFirst Essex2/21/2023Michael O. MooreSecond Worcester2/21/2023Michael J. BarrettThird Middlesex2/21/2023 1 of 2
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1075 FILED ON: 1/18/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 781
By Ms. Miranda, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 781) of Liz Miranda, Rebecca L.
Rausch, Sal N. DiDomenico, Thomas M. Stanley and other members of the General Court for
legislation relative to the primary care workforce development and loan repayment grant
program at community health centers. Health Care Financing.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the primary care workforce development and loan repayment grant program at
community health centers.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2020 Official Edition,
2is hereby amended by adding the following after Section 16CC
3 Section 16DD (a) There shall be established a primary care workforce development and
4loan forgiveness grant program at community health centers for the purpose of enhancing
5recruitment and retention of primary care physicians, other clinicians, bachelor’s degree-level
6mental health and primary care professionals including, but not limited to, community health
7workers, recovery coaches and family partners, as well as all other non-clinician staff at
8community health centers throughout the Commonwealth. Priority shall be given to clinicians
9and bachelor’s degree-level mental health and primary care professionals. The grant program
10shall be administered by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, provided, that the
11office may contract with an organization to administer the grant program. This program shall 2 of 2
12ensure the continuation of state-level loan repayment for clinicians at community health centers
13including but not limited to those programs established by Chapter 102 of the acts of 2021,
14reserve 1599-2026.
15 (b) the program shall prioritize the recruitment and retention of a culturally, ethnically
16and linguistically diverse workforce; provided further, that to be eligible for loan repayment
17assistance under this item, an individual shall: (a) work in a community health center (i) have
18outstanding educational debt; (ii) not participate in any other loan repayment program; and (iii)
19be required to enter into a contract with the commonwealth for not less than 4 years; provided
20further, that the amounts of assistance per individual shall be pro-rated for individuals working
21on a part-time basis; provided further, that the executive office shall promulgate regulations for
22the administration and enforcement of the loan repayment assistance program under this item
23which shall include penalties and repayment procedures if a participating individual fails to
24comply with the program requirements;
25 (c) The program shall be funded through expenditures from the Behavioral Health and
26Community-Based Primary Care Reserve established in section 2a of chapter 102 of the Acts of
272021.