The bill proposes amendments to the "Stay Invested in RI Wavemaker Fellowships" section of the Rhode Island General Laws. It introduces a new definition for "primary care" within the context of the Wavemaker Fellowships, which are tax credits awarded to eligible graduates for education loan repayment expenses. The definition of "primary care" is inserted to clarify the range of healthcare services covered, including prevention, wellness, treatment for common illnesses and injuries, initial approaches to healthcare professionals for treatment, and long-term patient-healthcare professional relationships. This may encompass family medicine, general internal medicine, or general medical practice.
The bill also outlines various existing definitions and eligibility requirements for applicants wishing to claim an award under this chapter. These include being a full-time employee in Rhode Island in specified fields such as sciences, technology, engineering, design, medicine, teaching, or as a healthcare practitioner, and having incurred education loan repayment expenses from an accredited postsecondary institution. The bill would take effect upon passage, indicating that the new definition of "primary care" would be immediately applicable to the Wavemaker Fellowships program.
Statutes affected: 2717 SUB A: 42-64.26-3