Wisconsin Senate Bill SB258

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/2/23
• Refer: 5/2/23
• Report Pass: 11/15/23
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

Creating a rural pharmacy practice grant program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board, exempting from taxation amounts received from such a grant program, and granting rule-making authority.

Impact

The bill's enactment is seen as a crucial step towards addressing the shortage of pharmacists in rural regions, ultimately improving access to pharmacy services for communities lacking adequate healthcare professionals. By exempting grant amounts from taxation, the legislation seeks to enhance the attractiveness of these positions for newly licensed pharmacists. The program will accept no more than ten pharmacists each year, which may limit the scope of its impact despite its noble intentions.

Summary

Senate Bill 258 aims to establish a Rural Pharmacy Practice Grant Program administered by the Higher Educational Aids Board. The primary objective of the program is to encourage pharmacists to practice in medically underserved areas of the state by providing them financial assistance. Under the proposed legislation, eligible pharmacists can receive up to $30,000 per year for a maximum of three years, contingent upon their commitment to work in designated medically underserved areas for at least three years after graduation from a pharmacy school.

Contention

As with many legislative proposals, SB258 may encounter points of contention especially around the allocation of financial resources. The limitation of assistance to ten pharmacists per year raises concerns about whether this program can sufficiently meet the needs of medically underserved areas, especially those experiencing acute shortages. Additionally, discussions may arise regarding the prioritization of grant recipients and the criteria for eligibility, which could impact the perceived fairness of the program.

Regulatory considerations

The legislative process may involve review by the Joint Survey Committee on Tax Exemptions due to the tax-related aspects of the grant program. Hence, stakeholders should monitor the discussions around this aspect as it could influence the final structure and implementation of the law.