Photo: State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) stands with fellow legislators, healthcare experts and students in support of her bill to support the professionals who train and mentor Michigan’s next generation of healthcare providers.

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 27, 2026 — Yesterday, state legislators introduced the bipartisan Primary Care Transformation Package (HBs 6288-6295), a group of bills aimed at strengthening Michigan’s primary care system and health care workforce. Michigan currently directs less than 6% of health spending toward primary care, while 26% of residents live in primary care shortage areas spanning 75 of the state’s 83 counties. Nearly one in three Michiganders lacks regular access to primary care.

State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) sponsored legislation to support healthcare professionals who train and mentor the next generation of Michigan providers. House Bill 6294 would provide a state income tax credit to eligible healthcare professionals who meet the definition of preceptors for students completing required clinical rotations in Michigan.

Mentors play an important role in preparing future health care professionals by providing students with hands-on clinical experience, supervision and mentorship. However, providers who take on students often do so without compensation while balancing the additional time and responsibilities associated with training a future member of the health care workforce.

“As a practicing physical therapist, I know how important hands-on clinical training is to prepare students to become confident, capable healthcare professionals,” Rogers said.

The legislation defines a preceptor as a healthcare professional who provides supervision and instruction during a student’s clinical rotation and is otherwise uncompensated for that time or service. Eligible clinical rotations must be required by an accredited health profession program and take place at a Michigan health care site approved by the student’s institution of higher education.

Under HB 6294, an eligible preceptor could receive a $1,000 tax credit for every 250 hours spent supervising a qualified clinical rotation, up to $3,000 per year. The credit would be available for tax years 2027 through 2031.

“Preceptors are investing their own time in the next generation of providers, often without receiving anything in return,” Rogers added. “If we want to build and retain a strong healthcare workforce in Michigan, we need to support the professionals who are helping train it. This bill recognizes that work and helps make it easier for more providers to say yes to taking on a student.”

The workforce portion of the package also includes proposals to strengthen the MiDOCS physician recruitment program, invest in the primary care nursing workforce, expose middle and high school students to healthcare careers and reduce financial barriers for students pursuing careers in primary care.

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