NC H999

Appropriates $3,000,000 from the General Fund to the Office of Rural Health for the 2018-2019 fiscal year to supplement the North Carolina State Loan Repayment Program, with funding to be recurring.

Allocates $800,000 of the appropriation specifically for loan repayment of physician assistants and nurse practitioners providing primary care services in rural areas.

Directs the Office of Rural Health to structure the loan repayment program to increase health care providers in rural areas, coordinate with federal programs, and encourage recruitment and retention of providers.

Requires the Office of Rural Health to identify the need for dentists in rural areas using data from the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research and develop recommendations for targeting loan repayment funds to dentists in areas with greatest need.

Requires interim report by October 1, 2018, and final report by October 1, 2019, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services regarding program implementation.