The Graduate Physician Licensing Act establishes a framework for licensing graduate physicians in New Jersey, allowing the State Board of Medical Examiners to issue licenses to individuals who meet specific criteria, including being at least 18 years old, graduating from an accredited medical school, successfully completing Step 2 of the physician licensing examination, and having no criminal history. Under this act, graduate physicians are permitted to provide primary care services in medically underserved areas under the supervision of a collaborating physician, who must document at least 120 hours of on-site practice with the graduate physician before they can prescribe controlled dangerous substances or authorize medical cannabis. The act also defines key terms and outlines the requirements for collaborative practice arrangements, ensuring proper oversight and standards for graduate physicians.

Additionally, the bill mandates that health benefits plans, including Medicaid and NJ FamilyCare, reimburse graduate physicians for their services on par with other mid-level health care providers, such as physician assistants. This provision aims to ensure equitable treatment and recognition of graduate physicians within the healthcare system. The act also includes amendments related to medical cannabis, enhancing the roles of healthcare practitioners and promoting integrated curricula in collaboration with educational institutions, thereby fostering a comprehensive approach to medical cannabis education and practice. Overall, the Graduate Physician Licensing Act seeks to improve healthcare access in underserved areas while maintaining necessary oversight.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6I-3, 24:21-15.2