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HD 3913

An Act relative to supporting primary care physicians in the commonwealth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Paul McMurtry

The bill creates a Primary Care Physician Loan Repayment Fund to pay down medical student debt for doctors who commit to at least 10 years of primary care in Massachusetts.

Referred to the committee on Public Health
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Bill Summary · HD 3913

Summary: HD 3913 — An Act relative to supporting primary care physicians in the commonwealth

Overview

HD 3913, introduced May 12, 2025 by Rep. Paul McMurtry (Dedham) and referred to the Public Health Committee, would create a dedicated fund and a loan repayment program to attract and retain primary care physicians in Massachusetts. The measure establishes a new funding vehicle and an administrative framework within the existing health care workforce infrastructure to provide debt relief to medical school graduates who commit to long-term primary care practice in the commonwealth.

Key Provisions

  • New fund established: Primary Care Physician Loan Repayment Fund in Chapter 29. The fund is separate and self-sustaining on the books.

    • Sources of funding: general appropriations designated to the fund, gifts/grants/donations from public and private sources, and interest earned. Amounts unexpended at fiscal year end do not revert to the General Fund.
    • Use of funds: may be expended without further appropriation by the Health Care Workforce Center (established in Section 25L of Chapter 111) to make loan repayment payments under the program.

  • Administration and oversight:

    • A Health Care Workforce Center administers the loan repayment program.
    • The Center must report annually on fund activities to lawmakers (specific committees listed) by July 1.

  • Primary Care Physician Loan Repayment Program (Section 25N¼):

    • Purpose: pay the medical school loan balance of program participants who commit to practicing as primary care physicians in Massachusetts for at least 10 years.
    • Service obligation: each recipient must sign a contract obligating at least 10 years of service as a primary care physician in the commonwealth.
    • Regulations: the Center will promulgate rules governing administration, enforcement, penalties, and repayment procedures for noncompliance.
    • Evaluation: annual evaluation including exit interviews to assess post-program plans and gather improvement recommendations.
    • Annual reporting: by July 1, the Center must file comprehensive reports with the Governor and key legislative committees, covering:
    • Applicant pools, acceptances, and participant demographics (race, gender, medical school, residence before medical school, intended practice location after program).
    • Service placements and length of service commitments.
    • Failure rates and reasons for noncompliance.
    • Program expenditures and funding trends.

Who is Affected

  • Medical students and physicians who would participate in the loan repayment program.
  • Health care workforce administrators and public health agencies responsible for administering physician placement and loan support.
  • Massachusetts communities seeking to improve access to primary care, particularly in underserved areas.

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Status: Referred to the Committee on Public Health (as of May 12, 2025).
  • The bill designates annual reporting deadlines (by July 1) and requires ongoing program evaluation.
  • The text does not specify an explicit effective date; provisions reference ongoing administration by the Health Care Workforce Center and regulations to be promulgated.

Potential Impact

  • Aims to reduce financial barriers to pursuing primary care careers and improve long-term retention of primary care physicians in Massachusetts.
  • Could influence geographic distribution of primary care providers through disclosed placement data.
  • Enhances transparency through mandated demographic and outcome reporting, enabling assessment of equity and program effectiveness.

Note: This summary reflects the bill text as filed and does not assume any amendments that may be adopted during committee deliberations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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