Rhode Island Senate Bill S2594

Rhode Island 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/22
• Refer: 3/10/22

Caption

Preceptors Tax Credit Act

Impact

The enactment of S2594 is expected to enhance the recruitment and retention of qualified preceptors, thereby enabling more nurse practitioners to gain necessary clinical experience. Given that the state currently has a limited number of preceptors, the tax credit aims to encourage more healthcare professionals to take part in educational programs, potentially increasing the number of nurse practitioners available to serve Rhode Island's population. The General Assembly recognizes that the lack of preceptors is a significant barrier to expanding the nursing workforce and believes that financial incentives can bridge this gap.

Summary

Bill S2594, titled the Preceptors Tax Credit Act, aims to address the shortage of primary healthcare providers in Rhode Island by offering tax incentives to clinicians involved in the training of nurse practitioner graduate students. The act proposes a tax credit of up to $500 for preceptor clinicians—either physicians or nurse practitioners—who provide on-site education to nursing students from the University of Rhode Island or Rhode Island College. This initiative responds to concerns about low physician growth in primary care and the increasing reliance on nurse practitioners for essential healthcare services in underserved communities.

Contention

While S2594 provides financial support to encourage preceptorships, there may be concerns regarding the cap on the total amount of tax credits available annually (set at $50,000). This limit could restrict the overall number of preceptors who benefit from the program and may not sufficiently address the growing demand for healthcare providers as noted in the legislative findings. Additionally, the exclusion of reimbursement options for preceptors highlights ongoing challenges in funding healthcare education, particularly the impact of rural healthcare needs where access to primary services is critically low.