Clinical Preceptors Tax Credit Act
If enacted, the Clinical Preceptors Tax Credit Act would allow eligible clinical preceptors—including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and physicians—to receive a tax credit of up to $1,000 annually. The bill is designed to alleviate some financial challenges faced by clinical preceptors who coach students without compensation under existing constraints of graduate programs. This initiative is likely to increase the availability of preceptorship positions, thereby supporting a greater number of nurse practitioner training opportunities in the state.
House Bill 5395, known as the Clinical Preceptors Tax Credit Act, aims to support the healthcare workforce in Rhode Island by providing a tax credit for clinical preceptors who offer educational instruction to nurse practitioner graduate students. The bill is introduced with the recognition of the growing gap in primary healthcare access, particularly in medically underserved areas, where nurse practitioners are seen as vital to filling this gap. The intent is to incentivize experienced practitioners to take on the crucial role of educating the next generation of healthcare providers.
Discussion around the bill indicates some contention regarding its implementation. Critics may argue that while the tax credit aims to encourage participation from clinical preceptors, it may not fully address other systemic issues, such as the need for more comprehensive compensatory structures for preceptors or the capacity of educational institutions to support increased student numbers. Proponents, however, assert that the tax incentive is a step toward correcting disparities in healthcare education and access, emphasizing the urgent need for more trained healthcare providers in Rhode Island.