Economic incentives proposed for physician shortage

The bill establishes a program under the Department of Health that will offer competitive economic and administrative incentives to motivate doctors to return to Puerto Rico.

By THE STAR STAFF

Representative Tatiana Pérez Ramírez filed House Bill 982, which proposes the creation of the Return of Physicians Program, an initiative aimed at attracting Puerto Rican doctors who are currently practicing outside the Island.

The program responds to the crisis in the availability of health professionals, reflected in long wait times, clinic closures, and entire regions without access to specialists. Citizens wait months to obtain a basic medical appointment, a situation the legislator described as “urgent.”

The bill establishes a program under the Department of Health that will offer competitive economic and administrative incentives to motivate doctors to return to Puerto Rico. The measure includes a $10,000 tax credit to cover relocation expenses, as well as a $20,000 bonus for physicians who commit to practicing in Critical Shortage Zones, where the lack of specialists has severely affected the provision of essential services.

As part of the proposed reform, the Medical Licensing and Discipline Board must implement an expedited licensing process of no more than 30 days, allowing doctors to quickly integrate into the health system. Additionally, the Department of Health will be required to submit annual reports on the program’s performance, including the number of doctors recruited, their specialties, the municipalities served, and costs. To ensure the program’s financial sustainability, the measure includes the creation of a recurring $5 million fund.

“It cannot be that our citizens wait months for an appointment with a specialist. This measure seeks to bring our doctors back and meet that need with concrete actions,” said Pérez Ramírez.

The representative also pointed out that competition to retain medical talent has intensified, as different states from the mainland are coming directly to the Island to aggressively recruit Puerto Rican doctors with highly competitive salary offers and benefits. “We cannot ignore that our professionals leave because they find more attractive conditions elsewhere. With this program we send a different message: Puerto Rico is willing to compete for its talent,” she added.

Pérez Ramírez emphasized that the legislation not only seeks to reinforce the overall availability of physicians, but also to address inequalities in access to services between regions. “People who live in rural areas, or in municipalities with severe shortages of specialists, have been suffering the consequences for years. This is not only about attracting doctors; it is about ensuring justice and access to health for everyone,” she stated.