Establishes the high need primary care medical personnel demonstration program in the department of health

BILL NUMBER:S381A

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law and the education law, in relation to establishing the high need primary care medical personnel demonstration program; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Purpose

Establishes the high need primary care medical personnel demonstration program in the department of health.

Summary of provisions

Section 1: Article 2 of the public health law is amended by adding a new title 7 to read as follows: "High Need Primary Care Medical Personnel Demonstration Program."

Section 2 shall give authority to the department of health to establish a high need primary care medical demonstration program.

Section 3 amends subdivision 1 and 2 of section 6526 of the education law by specifying the eligibility requirements.

Section 4 enacting clause.

Justification

Health disparities are caused by many factors, one of which is access to quality, consistent care. Many underserved communities, whether urban or rural, face daunting health disparities, partly because of a lack of quality and consistent care. This bill seeks to ameliorate that situation by allowing the Department of Health to create a demonstration program for residency in certain underserved communities across New York State. The Department shall select six (6) locations which shall participate in the demonstration program. The Commissioner shall select the six (6) locations based on the following criteria: (i) the amount of primary care medical services provided by the applicant; (ii) the percentage of patients receiving care through Medicaid; (iii) the capacity of the applicant to host medical personnel licensed pursuant to section 6525 of the Education law, and (iv) the benefit to a high-needs community in additional primary care medical personnel. This demonstration program is open to any person who graduates from a New York State, Liaison Committee on Medical Education, or American Osteopathic Association accredited medical program, or a person who graduates from any other medical program who has passed requisite steps or p arts of the United States Medical Licensing Examination or National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners examination, where such a person practices at a medical facility or practice approved by the Department of Health.

Legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law, and shall expire and be deemed repealed July 1, 2017.