By — David A. Lieb, Associated Press David A. Lieb, Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/missouri-targets-doctor-dearth-law Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Missouri targets doctor dearth, expands first-in-nation law Health May 14, 2017 1:20 PM EDT JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Numerous doctors from around the U.S. could become eligible to treat patients in Missouri’s underserved areas as a result of a planned expansion of a first-in-the-nation law aimed at addressing doctor shortages. The newly passed Missouri legislation would broaden the reach of a 2014 law that sought to bridge the gap between communities in need of doctors and physicians in need of jobs. Supporters have touted the law as a model for other states. The law created a new category of “assistant physicians” for people who graduated from medical school and passed key medical exams but were not placed in residency programs. But it took nearly 2½ years to implement. Missouri’s new legislation turns back the clock, so those who became ineligible during the slow rollout still can qualify. By — David A. Lieb, Associated Press David A. Lieb, Associated Press
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Numerous doctors from around the U.S. could become eligible to treat patients in Missouri’s underserved areas as a result of a planned expansion of a first-in-the-nation law aimed at addressing doctor shortages. The newly passed Missouri legislation would broaden the reach of a 2014 law that sought to bridge the gap between communities in need of doctors and physicians in need of jobs. Supporters have touted the law as a model for other states. The law created a new category of “assistant physicians” for people who graduated from medical school and passed key medical exams but were not placed in residency programs. But it took nearly 2½ years to implement. Missouri’s new legislation turns back the clock, so those who became ineligible during the slow rollout still can qualify.