REPORT ON BILLS FAVORABLY REPORTED BY COMMITTEE

COMMITTEE:

Select Committee on Workforce Development

TITLE OF BILL:

AN ACT ADDRESSING THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES, PHARMACISTS, ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, DENTAL HYGIENISTS AND DENTAL ASSISTANTS.

SPONSORS OF BILL:

Workforce Development

  
   

REASONS FOR BILL:

Original bill established loan forgiveness and scholarship programs for students pursuing studies in nursing, allied health, dental hygiene or as a dental assistant. Substitute bill establishes, within available appropriations, scholarship incentive programs to be administered by Dept. of Higher Education for residents of Connecticut who pursue programs of study that lead to licensure, certification or qualification as a nurse, pharmacist, other allied health professional, dental hygienist or dental assistant. These incentive programs are modeled after the Minority Teacher Incentive program and provide for the reimbursement of federal or state educational loans up to a maximum of $2500 per year for up to four years of service in the recipient's field of specialty within this state."

RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:

Dept. Higher Ed supports the bill but would prefer a loan repayment program rather than a loan forgiveness program which is more difficult to monitor and administer. Suggests that any loan forgiveness program be modeled after the Minority Teacher Incentive Program.

NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:

Connecticut State Dental Association: According to their informal poll, there are approximately 300 vacant dental assistant positions. This is an occupation in demand.

CT Hospital Association: Staff shortages have resulted in cancellation of elective surgeries and delayed diagnostic testing. This bill provides a necessary incentive for students enrolled in health care programs.

CT Nurses Association: There are more health care jobs available than there are people to fill them. Scholarships and loan repayments are part of strategy to address this program.

CT Pharmacists Association: Support

CT Association for Not-For-Profit Providers for Aging: Support

Connect Colleagues in Caring: Support

CT Oral Health 2010 Initiative: Very concerned with short supply of dental assistants and hygienists.

NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:

NONE

 

Diane Boesch

March 11, 2002

 

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