DES MOINES – Today, at the Administration’s weekly press conference, Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Department of Public Health Director Gerd Clabaugh highlighted a program, known as The Primary Care Recruitment and Retention Endeavor (PRIMECARRE) that is assisting with providing financial assistance to health professionals who practice in underserved areas around the state.
“I’ve been a proud supporter of many programs that the Iowa Department of Public Health has to assist in the recruitment and retention of health care professionals in all four corners of Iowa,” said Gov. Branstad. “From my experience as the former President of Des Moines University, I know if you do your residency in this state, you are more likely to stay here.”
Lt. Gov. Reynolds added, “Under PRIMECARRE, health care professionals receive an award for loan repayment in exchange for practicing in communities with diminishing health care services and provide them with opportunities to improve access to and availability of care. But what’s unique about PRIMECARRE is that it is available to many different health care professionals who are not physicians. This evidence of the retention of health care professionals demonstrates the success we have in increasing access around rural Iowa.”
Since 2011, Iowa has invested $1.1 million in PRIMECARRE. The program provides two-year loan repayment of $30,000-$50,000 for health professionals who practice in underserved areas. The program also enjoys an 81% retention rate of health care professionals who accept funding. Eligible providers include physicians specializing in pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatry and family medicine. Non-physician health care professionals who would be eligible for funding include dentists and registered dental hygienists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, psychiatric nurses and more.
