New York Awards $48.3 Million to Expand Healthcare Access and Strengthen Its Workforce
New York State has awarded $48.3 million through the Healthcare Access Loan Repayment Program, known as HEALR. The initiative is intended to attract and retain healthcare professionals who serve Medicaid members, uninsured patients and communities facing provider shortages.
According to the State, 352 healthcare professionals were selected from nearly 900 applicants. The recipients include 99 psychiatrists, 76 primary-care physicians, 43 dentists and 134 nurse practitioners.
Selected professionals must commit to four years of service caring for Medicaid members or uninsured New Yorkers. Depending on their profession and educational debt, psychiatrists may receive up to $300,000 in loan repayment, while primary-care physicians and dentists may receive up to $100,000. Nurse practitioners may qualify for up to $50,000.
The program is part of New York’s broader Medicaid 1115 Waiver initiative. It recognizes an important reality: providing health coverage alone is insufficient if patients cannot find qualified professionals who are available to care for them.
Clarification Regarding Marton Care
Neither Marton Care Health Center nor any other Marton Care subsidiary received funding from the HEALR awards announced in this round.
The newly announced funding should not be interpreted as a grant or financial award to Marton Care. HEALR is primarily a student-loan repayment program for individual healthcare professionals—not a general operating grant paid directly to healthcare companies.
Eligible professionals must work for a qualifying New York Medicaid provider where at least 30% of the patient population consists of Medicaid members or uninsured individuals, or at an organization participating in qualifying services through a state-designated Social Care Network.
Marton Care Health Center was not among the announced recipients. However, programs such as HEALR may eventually help healthcare organizations recruit and retain primary-care providers, nurse practitioners, psychiatrists and other professionals committed to serving vulnerable populations.
Why This Investment Matters
New York continues to face shortages in primary care, behavioral health, dentistry and other essential clinical services. These shortages can result in longer waiting periods, delayed treatment and difficulty accessing care—particularly for Medicaid members and people without insurance.
Reducing the educational debt carried by healthcare professionals can encourage more providers to establish long-term careers in underserved communities. It can also help healthcare organizations build more stable clinical teams and expand access to coordinated, community-based care.
Marton Care supports responsible investments that strengthen New York’s healthcare workforce and improve access to high-quality care. Through Marton Care Health Center, Marton Care IPA and its other healthcare initiatives, the Marton Care family remains committed to connecting patients, providers and community resources.
Marton Care will continue monitoring future workforce-development and healthcare-access opportunities that may benefit its professionals, participating providers and the communities they serve.
Source: New York State announcement regarding the Healthcare Access Loan Repayment Program, September 24, 2026 [https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-483-million-awarded-healthcare-access-loan-repayment-program]
