SENATE DOCKET, NO. 789        FILED ON: 2/8/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 777

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

John F. Keenan

_________________

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 promoting workforce development and provider retention at community health centers.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

John F. Keenan

Norfolk and Plymouth

 

Brendan P. Crighton

Third Essex

2/24/2021

Diana DiZoglio

First Essex

2/24/2021

Christina A. Minicucci

14th Essex

2/25/2021

Mary S. Keefe

15th Worcester

2/26/2021

James B. Eldridge

Middlesex and Worcester

2/26/2021

Jack Patrick Lewis

7th Middlesex

2/26/2021

Brian W. Murray

10th Worcester

2/26/2021

Michael O. Moore

Second Worcester

3/6/2021

Eric P. Lesser

First Hampden and Hampshire

3/16/2021

Joanne M. Comerford

Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester

4/1/2021

Mathew J. Muratore

1st Plymouth

6/3/2021

John C. Velis

Second Hampden and Hampshire

6/11/2021


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 789        FILED ON: 2/8/2021

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 777

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 777) of John F. Keenan, Brendan P. Crighton, Diana DiZoglio, Christina A. Minicucci and other members of the General Court for legislation to promote workforce development and provider retention at community health centers.  Health Care Financing.

 

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 690 OF 2019-2020.]

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

_______________

 

An Act promoting workforce development and provider retention 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:
 

SECTION 1. Chapter 118E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following new section:-

Section 79. The division shall establish a community health center Nurse Practitioner residency program for the purposes of recruiting and retaining Nurse Practitioners at community health centers in order to increase access to high-quality community-based primary and preventative care.

These programs shall:

(i) Provide a 24- month post-graduate residency program, administered by community health centers, defined as community health centers receiving a grant under 42 USC 254b, for certified Nurse Practitioners who have graduated from an accredited school of nursing within the past three years;

(ii) Provide Nurse Practitioners in the program with patient panels under the supervision and mentorship of a physician or other Advanced Practice Registered Nurse at a community health center, and;

(iii) Encourage Nurse Practitioners to continue careers in primary care or other fields at community health centers.

Nothing in this section shall be interpreted to conflict with, replace, or supersede any licensure requirements or standards for the advanced nursing practice established pursuant to chapters 94C or 112.

SECTION 2. The division shall make expenditures of no less than $2,500,000 annually to this program and shall seek federal Medicaid reimbursement for this program as graduate medical education.

SECTION 3. The division shall promulgate regulations to implement said program, including program details and grant guidelines as necessary, no later than six months after the passage of this act.