NC S741

Appropriates $3,000,000 to the Office of Rural Health, Department of Health and Human Services for the 2018-2019 fiscal year to supplement the North Carolina State Loan Repayment Program, with this funding to be recurring.

Designates $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 to maximize funding, and encourage both recruitment and retention of providers.

Requires the Office of Rural Health to work with the Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research to identify dentist shortages in rural areas 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 on implementation of these directives.