CT SB01087

Commissioner of Public Health shall establish a grant program by January 1, 2022, providing three-year grants to community-based primary care providers for direct services, recruitment and retention of clinicians through salary subsidies or loan repayment, and capital expenditures.

Primary care clinicians receiving grants must serve the uninsured on a sliding fee schedule, provide free care when necessary, accept Medicare assignment, participate in Medicaid, or provide services in school-based health centers.

Department of Public Health shall establish a five-year pilot program by January 1, 2022, to help federally-qualified health centers recruit and retain mental health care providers, prioritizing areas with greatest need and economically distressed municipalities.

Office of Higher Education shall administer a mental health care provider loan reimbursement grant program providing up to $25,000 annually for up to two years to psychiatrists, psychologists, and advanced practice registered nurses employed by federally-qualified health centers for at least two years.

Annual reports evaluating pilot program effectiveness shall be submitted to the Joint Standing Committee on Public Health from January 1, 2023, through January 1, 2027.