Senate enacts Jackson’s bill to bring more doctors, dentists to rural Maine

AUGUSTA — The Maine Senate on Wednesday gave unanimous enacted a bill by Senate Democratic Leader Troy Jackson of Allagash that would boost efforts to recruit and retain more primary health care providers and dentists in underserved parts of the state.

LD 1287, “An Act To Strengthen Efforts To Recruit and Retain Primary Care Professionals and Dentists in Rural and Underserved Areas of the State,” will expand upon existing programs to bring more health care professionals into rural and medically underserved parts of the state, which includes Aroostook County.

“It shouldn’t be this hard for Mainers to go the doctor and receive proper health care. The lack of health care professionals in rural Maine and the state as a whole undermines the health of Maine people, especially kids. Many working people cannot afford to take an entire day off and spend a couple hours in the car just to get a check-up in the more populated areas of the state” said Sen. Jackson. “I think this bill is a smart way to attract and retain health care professionals in rural areas so Mainers in all regions of the state can get the basic care they need.”

An existing income tax credit for eligible dentists who practice in underserved areas is set to expire in 2020. Jackson’s bill would extend the credit until 2026. LD 1287 would also provide the credit to more primary care professionals, such as physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who practice in underserved areas. Sen. Jackson’s bill would provide the credit to 10 providers in rural and underserved communities throughout the state, rather than the five currently allowed by the law.

LD 1287 received a unanimous report in the Legislature’s Taxation Committee. It will now head to the governor, who has 10 days to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature.

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