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Nelson files bill targeting the shortage of primary care physicians in the state
By Marthe Stinton, mstinton@starlocalnews.com
Health care has taken center stage during the legislative pre-filing period because of a shortage of primary care physicians in Texas. Right now, 18,000 primary care physicians serve about 25 million Texans, a number state Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) hopes to change.
Senate Bill 143 would establish the Primary Care Graduate Medical Education Expansion Program with the goal of increasing residency slots for primary care. This, Nelson said, would provide more incentives for doctors to remain in the state after graduation.
By 2016, at least 180 medical school graduates will have to leave the state for their first year of residency training due to a lack of residency positions, according to a report released this year by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
"Texans cannot have access to health care unless there are enough physicians to provide it," Nelson said. "A strong primary care workforce results in higher quality, more efficient health care with better patient outcomes at a lower cost."
New incentives for medical schools to improve graduation rates and develop innovative programs to increase the supply of primary care physicians, are also included. The bill, if passed, would allow physicians who agree to treat Medicaid or Texas Women's Health Program patients to participate in the Physician Education Loan Repayment Program.
According to the American Medical Association, the average 2011 medical student graduate accumulated $161,290 in student loan debt.
Nelson said the state's changing demographics and the influx of new patients, who are required to obtain health insurance under federal law, will further strain the state's health care workforce.
"Texas has a well-documented shortage of primary care physicians," Nelson said. "Because primary care serves as the gateway to preventive care, specialty providers and a wide range of services, it is vital that we address our primary care workforce needs."
Nelson believes the bill will gain bipartisan support and has already gained traction as pre-filing for the 83rd Legislature continues.
"The need is too great for this issue to go unaddressed, and I will work to gather support for this issue to advance - both via legislation and in the appropriations process," she said. "So far, the response has been positive, and I am confident we will have strong support for this bill."
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