This bill addresses the health care workforce crisis in New Hampshire by making appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for Medicaid provider rate increases and by directing the development of reports on health care workforce issues. The bill finds that the state's health care workforce is in crisis, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and recognizes the need for consistent investment to repair the system. It aims to incentivize students to work in health care, remove career advancement barriers for direct care providers, and provide health care organizations with tools to secure skilled clinicians.

Specifically, the bill appropriates $40,000,000 for each of the state fiscal years ending June 30, 2024, and June 30, 2025, to increase Medicaid provider rates, with these funds being nonlapsing until June 30, 2025. The Department of Health and Human Services is required to provide quarterly reports on the status of these rate increases starting October 1, 2023. Additionally, the bill mandates the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, to submit a report by July 1, 2024, on community health worker certification and scope of practice. Another report is required by the same date on rural health and primary care, including recommendations for implementing area health education centers and advanced training programs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023. No fiscal note is provided at the time of introduction due to time constraints.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 310-A:1-a