CT SB00449

Establishes a physician loan reimbursement grant program administered by the Office of Higher Education in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, effective July 1, 2022.

Eligible physicians must be licensed in Connecticut, have graduated from a Connecticut medical school or completed residency at a Connecticut hospital, and be currently employed as a physician in the state.

Provides annual grants equal to 20 percent of the balance of federal and state educational loans for each year a physician remains employed in Connecticut.

Creates a working group to be convened by January 1, 2023, to examine physician recruitment barriers including loan forgiveness effectiveness, non-compete covenants, primary care compensation, and health insurance landscape impacts.

Requires the working group to submit findings to the Public Health Commissioner and relevant legislative committee by January 1, 2024.