Health Care Workforce and Other Initiatives to Assist Medically Underserved Communities and Populations Annual Report

Abstract

Section 32.1-122.22 of the Code of Virginia requires that the State Health Commissioner submit an annual report to the Governor and to the General Assembly regarding the activities of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in recruiting and retaining health care providers for underserved populations and areas throughout the Commonwealth. The annual report is required to include information on: (i) the activities and accomplishments during the reporting period; (ii) planned activities for the coming year; (iii) the number and type of providers who have been recruited by VDH to practice in medically underserved areas (MUAs) and health professional shortage areas (HPSAs); (iv) the retention rate of providers practicing in these areas; and (v) the utilization of the scholarship and loan repayment programs authorized in Article 6 (§32.1-122.5 et seq.), as well as other programs or activities authorized in the Appropriation Act for provider recruitment and retention. The report is also required to include recommendations for new programs, activities and strategies for increasing the number of providers in underserved areas.