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HD 3333

An Act relative to tuition and student loan reimbursement in gateway cities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rita Mendes

The bill would reimburse up to 10% of tuition or loans for licensed clinicians (physicians, dentists, nurses, NPs, PAs, dental hygienists) who practice in gateway cities for 10+ ye

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Bill Summary · HD 3333

Summary: An Act relative to tuition and student loan reimbursement in gateway cities (HD 3333)

Overview

This proposed Massachusetts bill would create a tuition and student loan reimbursement program for certain healthcare professionals who practice in designated gateway municipalities. The program is designed to attract and retain physicians, dentists, nurses, and certain allied health providers to healthcare facilities located in gateway cities by offering a partial reimbursement of education costs after sustained service in those communities. Funding for the program would be contingent on future appropriations.

Key provisions

  • New statutory section: The bill adds Section 19H to Chapter 15A, establishing eligibility and program rules for gateway cities.

  • Gateway municipality definition: A municipality qualifies if:

    • Population greater than 35,000 and less than 250,000
    • Median household income below the Commonwealth average
    • A bachelor’s degree attainment rate below the Commonwealth average

  • Eligible health care facilities and providers:

    • “Health care facility” includes a broad set of licensed settings (hospitals, inpatient and outpatient centers, behavioral health centers, skilled nursing, residential treatment, diagnostic/laboratory centers, rehabilitation, etc.).
    • Licensed physicians, dentists, nurses (including nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dental hygienists) practicing in Massachusetts are eligible.

  • Tuition reimbursement (subsection b):

    • Eligible providers may receive reimbursement for undergraduate, dental, medical, or nursing school tuition paid or for qualifying student loans incurred.
    • Tuition must be for programs located in the United States.

  • Qualification conditions (subsection c):

    • The individual must be licensed in Massachusetts (Chapter 112).
    • The provider must be practicing in a gateway municipality and maintain a physical office or on-site practice there.

  • Reimbursement rate and timing (subsection d):

    • Reimbursement rate is 10% of total tuition paid or student loans incurred.
    • Payments are made after the provider has practiced in a gateway municipality for more than 10 years.

  • Patient service location requirement (subsection e):

    • All patients must be served in a health care facility located in a gateway municipality.

  • Scope of eligible professionals (subsection f):

    • In addition to physicians, dentists, and nurses, the bill explicitly includes nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and dental hygienists as eligible for reimbursement.

  • Funding and appropriation: The program is subject to appropriation, meaning funding must be approved in the state budget for the benefits to be distributed.

Who would be affected

  • Licensed physicians, dentists, and nurses (including NPs, PAs, and dental hygienists) who practice in Massachusetts gateway municipalities.
  • Healthcare facilities located in gateway municipalities (to the extent they participate in supporting providers under this program and ensuring patient care is delivered in gateway facilities).
  • Medical/dental/nursing students and graduates seeking to enter practice in gateway cities, aware of potential long-term reimbursement benefits.

Timelines and process notes

  • The bill is a proposed measure introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court.
  • Implementation would depend on passage and subsequent appropriation in annual budgets, plus any regulatory rules for program administration (application processes, verification of tuition/loans, and compliance).

Potential impact

  • Aims to strengthen healthcare access in gateway cities by incentivizing clinicians to stay long-term and deliver services within those communities.
  • Encourages retention by tying reimbursement to a decade of service.
  • Creates a defined pipeline for addressing workforce shortages in targeted urban-suburban Massachusetts municipalities.

Note: As a proposed bill, specifics such as final definitions, administration, funding levels, and implementation timelines may evolve through legislative deliberation.

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

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