Rhode Island 2025 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5526 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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5	5	2025 -- H 5526
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7	7	LC001530
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9	9	S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
10	10	IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
11	11	JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025
12	12	____________
13	13
14	14	A N A C T
15	15	RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THUNDERMIST FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY
16	16	PROGRAM
17	17	Introduced By: Representatives Fogarty, Carson, Tanzi, Bennett, Casey, Noret, Serpa,
18	18	Read, McEntee, and Dawson
19	19	Date Introduced: February 13, 2025
20	20	Referred To: House Finance
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23	23	It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
24	24	SECTION 1. Legislative Findings and Purpose. 1
25	25	(1) The Thundermist Family Medicine Residency Program is a critical component in 2
26	26	addressing the healthcare needs of Rhode Island residents, particularly in underserved and rural 3
27	27	areas; and 4
28	28	(2) Family medicine residency programs play a vital role in training the next generation of 5
29	29	primary care physicians, who are essential for improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare 6
30	30	disparities; and 7
31	31	(3) The demand for primary care services continues to grow in Rhode Island, necessitating 8
32	32	increased investment in family medicine training programs to ensure an adequate workforce; and 9
33	33	(4) Other healthcare institutions in Rhode Island, such as Landmark Medical Center, 10
34	34	receive state funding to support their missions, underscoring the importance of equitable state 11
35	35	investment in healthcare initiatives; and 12
36	36	(5) Funding for the Thundermist Family Medicine Residency Program will enhance the 13
37	37	program's capacity to recruit and retain highly qualified medical residents, expand training 14
38	38	opportunities, and improve access to care for Rhode Island residents. 15
39	39	SECTION 2. Title 40 of the General Laws entitled "HUMAN SERVICES" is hereby 16
40	40	amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 17
41	41	CHAPTER 8.16 18
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45	45	THUNDERMIST FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY PROGRAM 1
46	46	40-8.16-1. Appropriation of funds. 2
47	47	(a) For the fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year thereafter, the State of Rhode Island shall 3
48	48	appropriate the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to the Thundermist family 4
49	49	medicine residency program for the purpose of supporting its operational and educational activities, 5
50	50	including, but not limited to: 6
51	51	(1) Recruitment and retention of residents and faculty; 7
52	52	(2) Development and implementation of innovative curriculum focused on primary care 8
53	53	and community health; 9
54	54	(3) Expansion of clinical training sites in underserved and rural areas; 10
55	55	(4) Acquisition of necessary equipment and resources to enhance training and patient care; 11
56	56	(5) Support for administrative functions and program evaluation. 12
57	57	(b) The funds appropriated under this section shall be administered by the department of 13
58	58	health in collaboration with the Thundermist health center. 14
59	59	40-8.16-2. Reporting requirements. 15
60	60	(a) The Thundermist family medicine residency program shall submit an annual report to 16
61	61	the general assembly and the department of health, detailing the use of state funds, program 17
62	62	outcomes, and its impact on addressing the primary care needs of Rhode Island residents. 18
63	63	(b) The report shall include: 19
64	64	(1) Number of residents trained and their subsequent practice locations (as applicable); 20
65	65	(2) Summary of program activities and curriculum enhancements; 21
66	66	(3) Financial statement detailing the use of state funds; and 22
67	67	(4) Evaluation of the program’s impact on healthcare access and outcomes in Rhode Island. 23
68	68	40-8.16-3. Severability. 24
69	69	If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is 25
70	70	held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter, which 26
71	71	can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of 27
72	72	this chapter are declared to be severable. 28
73	73	SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 2025. 29
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80	80	EXPLANATION
81	81	BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
82	82	OF
83	83	A N A C T
84	84	RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES -- THUNDERMIST FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY
85	85	PROGRAM
86	86	***
87	87	This act would appropriate the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) to fund 1
88	88	the Thundermist family medicine residency program during fiscal year 2026 and every fiscal year 2
89	89	thereafter. 3
90	90	This act would take effect on July 1, 2025. 4
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92	92	LC001530
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