Budget Amendment ID: FY2026-S3-507

EHS 507

Medical Peer Support

Mr. Cyr moved that the proposed new text be amended in section 2, in item 4510-0710, by adding the following words:- "; provided further, that not less than $250,000 shall be expended for the operation and administration of Physician Health Services, Inc. to support the health, well-being and recovery of physicians and medical students”; and by striking out the figure “$17,000,545” and inserting in place thereof the following figure:- “$17,500,545”; and by inserting after section 8 the following new section:-

Section X. Chapter 10 of the General Laws shall be amended by inserting after section 35M the following section:-

Section 35M ½. There shall be established upon the books of the commonwealth a separate fund to be known as the Medical Peer Support Trust Fund to be used, without prior appropriation, by the physician health program authorized as a diversionary program by the board of registration in medicine pursuant to section 5F of chapter 112 of the general laws and 243 CMR 2.07(23)(b).  The Medical Peer Support Trust Fund shall be financed by a surcharge of $50 on each license renewal or issuance of a new license to be collected by the board of registration in medicine for every physician licensed under section 2 of chapter 112 of the general laws in addition to other license fees. All monies deposited into said fund shall be expended exclusively by the authorized physician health program for its operations and administration and shall not be subject to appropriation by the general court.