NC S904

Appropriates $18,295,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2022-2023 to the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Rural Health for allocation to Duke University.

Establishes a six-year public-private partnership with Duke University to improve general surgical care in Robeson County, Scotland County, and other surrounding rural counties with surgical workforce shortages.

Requires Duke University to attract medical students to surgical residency programs, develop new surgical training paradigms, and create incentives to attract and retain general surgeons in rural areas.

Directs the Office of Rural Health to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by January 15 and June 15 each year on expenditures, changes in medical students and surgeons, and partnership impact.

Becomes effective July 1, 2022, with appropriated funds remaining available for nonrecurring expenditures until fully expended.