Support Sought to Address Primary Care Access Crisis

The CTC-RI Primary Care Workforce Task Force is seeking support for its strategic roadmap report, “Primary Care Access for All: A Strategic Roadmap for Patient Access and Primary Care Workforce Capacity Building.” The report presents recommended goals, objectives and action steps to help build primary care workforce capacity and close the patient access gap. 

With support from State Senator Pamela Lauria and Representative Kathleen Fogarty, two of those goals have been drafted into bills which will soon go before the state legislature for approval:

• First bill proposes support for Rhode Islanders who want to become primary care doctors, nurse practitioners or physician assistants but may not be able to afford the high cost of tuition to obtain the advanced degrees required. The bill earmarks state funding for full scholarships for Rhode Island students in exchange for a commitment to stay in Rhode Island to practice primary care. 
• Second bill seeks to promote interest in primary care practice and retention of trainees to practice in Rhode Island by increasing the number of clinical training sites for medical residents, nurse practitioner and physician assistant students.  The bill includes development of a standardized enhanced curriculum that will provide trainees with high-quality, team-based, patient-centered, primary care clinical training in Rhode Island. 

Supporters are encouraged to contact their legislator to support the two bills.