>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

TODAY WAS THE 19TH DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2024 REGULAR SESSION.

THAT MEANS THERE ARE 11 MEETING DAYS REMAINING THAT CAN TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT MONTH AND A HALF.

WE'VE BEEN ANTICIPATING THE NEXT STEPS ON THE ISSUE OF GAMBLING.

AS A REFRESHER, EARLIER IN THE SESSION, THE HOUSE PASSED AN EXPANSIVE COMPREHENSIVE GAMBLING PACKAGE THAT WOULD INSTITUTE A STATE LOTTERY, EXPAND AND REGULATE CASINO GAMBLING AND LEGALIZE AND TAX SPORTS BETTING.

WEEKS LATER THE SENATE MADE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THAT PLAN, SENDING A SCALED BACK VERSION WITH NO CASINO EXPANSION AND NO SPORTS BETTING BACK TO THE HOUSE.

TODAY, THE HOUSE VOTED TO NON-CONCUR WITH THE SENATE CHANGES AND REQUEST A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE OF MEMBERS FROM BOTH CHAMBERS TO WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCES.

THIS IS PRETTY COMMON WITH LEGISLATION, HOWEVER ON THIS ISSUE THE HOUSE AND SENATE VERSIONS OF THE BILL ARE DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT.

THE SPONSORS OF THE HOUSE GAMBLING PLAN SAID TODAY THEY ARE HOPEFUL TO REACH A COMPROMISE.

.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT UP NEXT WEEK IN CONFERENCE.

REPRESENTATIVE JONES AND REPRESENTATIVE BLACK SHEER WILL REPRESENT THE HOUSE.

AGAIN, WHAT THE SENATE HAD PASSED WAS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT WE HAD PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

WE HAD A LOT OF GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT THAT.

SO, WE'LL WORK IT OUT IN CONFERENCE AND SEE WHAT WE COSM UP WITH.

WE LEFT A LOT OF MONEY ON THE TABLE, AS YOU SEE.

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY HAD DONE OR LEFT OUT OF THE PACKAGE WAS JUST LEFT OUT OF THE PACKAGE.

SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE NOT WILLING TO COMPROMISE ON, EDUCATION LOTTERY.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SPORTS BETTING JUST A MINUTE.

THAT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE BILL AS WELL.

OVER TWO MILLION ILLEGAL HITS AT SPORTS BETTING WERE BLOCKED IN THE STATE, ESTIMATED $3 BILLION WERE BET ILLEGALLY ON SPORTS BETTING WITHIN THE STATE.

THAT NEEDS REGULATING, TAXED, THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.

AND THAT WAS COMPLETELY LEFT OUT.

THAT WAS JUST NOT ON THE TABLE.

>> IN A CURIOUS TWIST, THE SENATE DID NOT VOTE TO GO TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TODAY, ADJOURNING BEFORE TAKING UP THE HOUSE'S REQUEST.

SENATOR BOBBY SINGLETON, WHO IS AMONG THE GAMBLING PROPONENTS IN THE SENATE, SAID HE EXPECTS A VOTE TO GO TO CONFERENCE WHEN THE SENATE RETURNS NEXT WEEK.

>> PEOPLE WHO CAN USE, IN TERMS OF YOUNG ADULTS, ADDICTIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I THINK THAT'S A WAY OF HANDLING IT, PUTTING IN PARAMETERS TO SAFEGUARDS THOSE THINGS.

OTHER STATES HAVE DONE THAT AND HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL.

WE DON'T SEE THAT MUCH ADDICTIONS FROM THE ONES PLAYING THE GAMES, ADDICTIONS.

I THINK THE HOUSE DID A GREAT JOB THAT WE IN THE SENATE DIDN'T HAVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE RESEARCH THEY DID.

THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE CAN COME BACK, WORK THROUGH THE BODY IN A HURRY.

WE GOT UP TO THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION.

AND WE'LL HAVE TO GO INTO THE CONFERENCE TODAY AND BE OUT TODAY.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO THROUGH THE STUDY, TALK TO THE MEMBERS SEE WHAT THEY ARE LIKING AND NOT LIKING AND GIVE IT AN OPPORTUNITY.

>> I'LL GET MORE IN DEPTH ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAM JONES LATER IN THE SHOW.

ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TODAY, A SOMEWHAT SURPRISING TURN OF EVENTS.

A CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILL FAILED A PROCEDURAL VOTE, MAKING ITS LIKELIHOOD OF PASSAGE REMOTE.

HOUSE BILL 29 FROM REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS ENGLAND WOULD ALLOW THOSE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FOR NON-VIOLENT OFFENSES UNDER THE HABITUAL FELONY LAW TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR RE-SENTENCING BY A JUDGE.

AFTER SOME DEBATE, THE HOUSE TOOK UP THE BUDGET ISOLATION RESOLUTION, A PROCEDURAL MOTION REQUIRED TO PASS BILLS BEFORE THE BUDGETS ARE FINISHED.

WHILE A MAJORITY VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BILL, IT DID NOT GET THE THREE FIFTHS MAJORITY REQUIRED.

>> IT'S COMMONLY CALLED THE SECOND CHANCE BILL, DEALING WITH THE HABITUAL OFFENDERS THAT ARE SENTENCED TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE AND WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE HEARD A LOT OF, THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR INDIVIDUALS TO BE RELEASED THAT MAY HAVE HARMED SOMEONE IN ONE OF THEIR PRIORS.

SO, IF THIS BILL WERE TO GET, I'M GOING TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT TO IT THAT SAYS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL HAS NO PRIOR CONVICTIONS FOR ANY OFFENSE INVOLVING PHYSICAL INJURY TO ANOTHER PERSON.

SO, IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR RE-SENTENCING, THE OTHER PRIORS THAT YOU HAVE, LED TO YOUR LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE SENTENCE, CAN INVOLVE A PHYSICAL INJURY TO ANOTHER PERSON.

ALSO, THERE WERE SEVERAL ISSUES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, THE ADDITIONAL WORKLOAD AND THE NOTICE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO, TO DO AND WE'VE COME UP WITH AMENDMENTS TO TRY TO DEAL WITH THAT AS WELL.

>> VISITING THE LEGISLATURE TODAY WERE DOZENS OF ADVOCATES FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

THE ALABAMA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION HELD AN EVENT AT THE STATE HOUSE AND DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION TO LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF GUN VIOLENCE IN ALABAMA.

THEY ARGUE THAT STRONGER LAWS TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE WOULD SAVE LIVES AND SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> HERE IN ALABAMA OUR GUN VIOLENCE, WE RANK FIFTH IN THE 50 STATE.

WHEN YOU SEE OTHER STATES, IN FACT, WHAT YOU SEE TODAY, IF OUR GUN LAWS WERE STRENGTHENED TO THE LEVEL WITH OTHER STATES, WE WOULD SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES OVER THE NEXT TWO DECADES.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE LIKE TO BRING UP, WHETHER OR NOT YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MAY BE IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE, EVEN THE CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS CAN UNDERSTAND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT EVERY TAXPAYER IS PUTTING INTO SUPPORT THESE VIOLENT CRIMES.

ON AVERAGE, ABOUT $700,000 PER VIOLENT CRIME WHETHER IT'S HOMICIDE, BRINGING IT CLOSER TO A MILLION OR JUST AN INJURY THAT THE COST TO THE TAXPAYERS IS HUGE.

>> IN TERMS OF ACTUAL LEGISLATION, THE GROUP SUPPORTS HOUSE BILL 36 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE PHILLIP ENSLER, WHICH WOULD PROHIBIT AUTO SEARS, DEVICES THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO A HANDGUN TO EFFECTIVELY TURN IT INTO A RAPID FIRE MACHINE GUN.

ENSLER SAYS THE BILL HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> HB-36 MIRRORS NATIONAL LAW, IT'S ALREADY BANNED ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL.

BUT WE WANT TO GIVE A TOOL TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN THE STATE TO PROSECUTE ON THE STATE LEVEL.

AND WHAT IT IS, IT IS PEOPLE ENDING UP HANDGUNS TRIGGER ACTIVATORS TURNING THE GUNE INTO A GUN AND IT'S VERY HARD TO FIRE -- WELL, CONTROL IT ONCE IT'S FIRED.

SO, THEY ARE VERY DEADLY AND VERY VIOLENT AND SO WE WANT TO HELP THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FIGHT THROUGH WITH THIS.

IT GOT THROUGH COMMITTEE WITH UNANIMOUS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, IT'S NOT DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN, IT'S SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS EVERY ONE.

WE WANT TO GET IT THROUGH THE FULL HOUSE AND THEN ON TO THE FLOOR ON THE SENATE.

>> AN UPDATE ON A PIECE OF LEGISLATION PASSED EARLIER THIS SESSION.

SENATE BILL 1, KNOWN AS THE BALLOT HARVESTING BILL, WAS PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW TWO WEEKS AGO.

TODAY, A GROUP OF VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATES FILED SUIT IN FEDERAL COURT TO HAVE THE LAW OVERTURNED.

THE ALABAMA STATE CONFERENCE OF THE NAACP AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ARGUE THAT THE NEW LAW WILL DISENFRANCHISE VOTERS, INCLUDING ELDERLY AND DISABLED VOTERS, WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE IN THE ABSENTEE VOTING PROCESS.

THE LAW MAKES IT A MISDEMEANOR TO RETURN ANOTHER PERSON'S BALLOT APPLICATION OR DISTRIBUTE AN ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION THAT IS PREFILLED WITH INFORMATION SUCH AS THE VOTER'S NAME.

IT WOULD BECOME A FELONY, PUNISHABLE BY UP TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON, TO PAY SOMEONE TO DISTRIBUTE, ORDER, COLLECT, DELIVER, COMPLETE OR PREFILL SOMEONE ELSE'S ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATION.

ALABAMA SECRETARY OF STATE WES ALLEN SAID QUOTE “I STAND FIRM IN MY SUPPORT OF SB1 BECAUSE NOW, UNDER ALABAMA LAW, ALABAMA VOTES ARE NOT FOR SALE.” WHEN WE COME BACK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAM JONES TO DISCUSS MORE ON THE GAMBLING ISSUE.

AFTER THAT, I'M JOINED BY WHITFIELD HOSPITAL CEO DOUG BREWER TO TALK ABOUT THE PROPOSED ALABAMA HEALTH SCIENCES SCHOOL IN DEMOPOLIS.

STAY WITH US.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE SAM JONES FROM MOBILE.

REPRESENTATIVE, THANKS FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> GUESS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT?

GAMBLING!

LAST TIME WE WERE HERE, I GUESS YOU HAD JUST PASSED THE COMPREHENSIVE HOUSE PACKAGE, WENT UPSTAIRS TO THE SENATE AND THEY MADE A LOT OF CHANGES TO IT, AND SCALED IT BACK PRETTY SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND TODAY, YOU VOTED TO NOT CONCUR WITH THE CHANGES AND YOU SAID LET'S GO TO CONFERENCE AND WORK OUT THE DIFFERENCE.

TELL US WHAT LED UP TO THE CONCURRENCE VOTE.

>> WELL, THERE WERE A LOT OF CHANGES MADE IN THE PACKAGE WE SENT UP TO THE SENATE.

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IS THAT THE EDUCATION LOTTERY WAS NOT NAMED EDUCATION LOTTERY ANY MORE.

AND AND JUST NAMED LOTTERY.

THAT WAS SOMETHING EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO US.

SO, THAT FUNDING WOULD GO TO THE REEXTENSION OF TEACHERS, EDUCATION SYSTEM, TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

WE THOUGHT IT WAS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT IN ALABAMA TODAY.

AND WE THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT POSSIBLY WE COULD ADDRESS IN A MANNER THAT WE HAVEN'T ADDRESSED IN THE PAST.

SOME OF THE OTHER KEYS TO US WAS, THINK, ONE OF THE DATE FOR THE ELECTION WAS CHANGED FROM SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER.

I CAN'T RATIONALIZE WHY THAT WAS NECESSARY.

>> POLITICAL THING?

>> HAD TO BE STRICTLY A POLITICAL THING.

THAT DIDN'T COME INTO PLAY WHEN WE HAD OUR MEETINGS AND WORKED IT UP.

IT WAS A BIPARTISAN BILL AND WE WORKED ON IT FOR 13 MONTHS.

RESEARCHED A LOT OF AREAS FOR IT.

AND SOMETIMES WE HAD A SITUATION WHERE WE THOUGHT DIFFERENTLY ON CERTAIN THINGS BUT WE WERE ABLE TO REACH COMMON GROUND.

AND WE CAME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY COULD SUPPORT.

WHEN WE SENT IT TO THE SENATE, WE WERE QUITE OPTIMISTIC THAT WE HAD A VERY, VERY GOOD BILL.

AND A BILL ACTUALLY COVERED A LOT OF AREAS OF THE STATE, AS IT RELATES TO HOW WE WERE GOING TO HAVE GAMBLING TAKE PLACE IN ALABAMA, HOW WE WOULD CONTROL IT AND REGULATE IT.

HOW WE WOULD PUT IT TOGETHER, HOW THE GAMES WOULD BE SET UP IN THE STATE, THE LOCATIONS AND WHERE THEY WOULD BE.

NOT OVERSATURATED.

AND THERE WAS A LOT THAT WENT INTO THE PACKAGE.

IT TOOK A LONG TIME TO GET IT PUT TOGETHER.

AND IT WAS DISHARTENING WHEN THEY TOOK FOUR OR FIVE DAYS AND DISMANTLED I.

SO, WE'LL GO IN CONFERENCE AND KEEP THINGS MOVING.

WE'RE STILL OPTIMISTIC ABOUT WHAT WE DID.

>> RIGHT, SENATE DID NOT TAKE IT OUT OF THE BASKET.

THEY HAVEN'T VOTED TO GO TO CONFERENCE SO MAYBE THAT'S READING INTO IT A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH.

BUT A LOT OF THE SENATORS HAVE SAID, WHAT THEY PASSED WAS AS BIG AS THEY CAN GET POSSIBLY 21 VOTES ON.

AND ANYTHING ADDED TO THAT, THEY PEEL OFF VOTES.

SO, WE'LL LEAVE THAT AS IT IS.

NOW, WHAT ABOUT THE HOUSE?

WHAT KIND OF CHANGES, CLOSER TO THE SENATE, WOULD BE ACCEPTABLE TO GET THE KIND OF SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE, THE CAUCUS?

I'VE ARGUED, GAMBLING DOESN'T PASS IN THE HOUSE OR SENATE WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT.

AND I KNOW Y'ALL HAVE PRIORITIES ABOUT HEALTHCARE AND THINGS LIKE THAT, SO I WONDER, WHAT WOULD IT HAVE TO BE TO GET MOST OF THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SUPPORT.

>> WELL, I THINK A NUMBER OF THINGS.

I THINK THE BILL WE SENT TO THE SENATE GOT A HUNDRED PERCENT OF DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS SUPPORT.

I THINK THERE'S A VARIOUS THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN.

ONE, EDUCATION LOTTERY, THAT'S ONE OF THOSE.

AND THE OTHER THING WOULD BE THAT THE ELECTION TAKE PLACE THAT WAS CHANGED.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE SENATE, THEY DECIDED TO DO AWAY WITH CASINOS, BIDDING ON CASINOS, AND HAVE PARAMUTUAL GAMING, WHAT WE HAVE AT THE VARIOUS TRACKS THAT ARE ALREADY OPERATING IN THE STATE IN THOSE VARIOUS COUNTY.

SO, I THINK THERE'S NEGOTIATION IN THAT AREA AND I DON'T SEE IT A MAJOR AREA TO NEGOTIATE.

WE DO LOOSE SOME REVENUE IN NEGOTIATING THAT.

BUT THINK IT CAN BE NEGOTIATED.

AND OTHER THING, WE THINK IT'S TIME FOR THE STATE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF HEALTHCARE IN RURAL AREAS, MENTAL HEALTH THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF ALABAMA AS WELL AS QUALITY ISSUES AS IT RELATES TO OUR STATE AS A WHOLE.

WE WERE REALLY INTERESTED IN THE SUBSTANCE OF THE BILL AS WELL AS WE WERE INTERESTED IN THE REVENUE THAT WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS MANY, MANY ISSUES IN THE STATE.

AND SOME OF THEM ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS TO BE FUNDED.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE THINGS.

TO ME, GAMING FOR JUST GAMING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN AFFORD TO DO.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO CONTROL IT, GAIN REVENUE FROM IT.

THINGS THAT WE HAVE NOT TRADITIONALLY DONE.

>> AND WHEN THEY TOOK OUT THE SPORTS BETTING, THAT WAS A HUGE REVENUE COMPONENT.

THAT GUTTED THE REVENUE PART.

DO YOU SEE ANY WILLINGNESS FROM THE SENATE TO TALK ABOUT SPORTS BETTING?

OR IS THAT A NON STARTER UP THERE?

>> WELL, WE HAVEN'T TALKED TO THEM SPECIFICALLY, ABOUT ANYTHING AS TO HOW WE PUT IT TOGETHER AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE MEETING.

AND THINK THERE A LOT OF THOSE ARE GOING TO BE ON THE TABLE.

ONE IMPORTANT THING THAT WE HAVE TO REALIZE, THE REVENUE SOURCES, IN OUR LEGISLATION WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT $1.2 BILLION.

I WOULD SAY THAT WITH THE ACTIONS THAT THE SENATE HAS TAKEN WOULD BE ABOUT $400 MILLION, IN THAT AREA.

AND MOST OF IT WOULD BE THE LOTTERY.

WELL, IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO EDUCATION JUSTICE WITH THAT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY AS WE MOVE FORWARD HOW IT'S STRUCTURED.

>> OKAY.

LET'S PLAY THIS TAPE THROUGH THE END.

THERE'S STILL PRETTY WIDE DISAGREEMENT.

I KNOW THROUGH COMMITTEE THAT IT COULD WORK OUT.

BUT LET'S SAY THIS YEAR IT DOESN'T WORK OUT AGAIN THIS YEAR.

THIS IS ABOUT AS CLOSE AS WE'VE HAD IT THIS YEAR.

BUT IF THE SENATE WON'T, I MEAN, YOU ARE SO FAR APART?

WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE GAMBLING ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T AGREE?

>> WELL, THE AMAZING THING IS, SENATE HAS SENT GAMBLING BILLS TO THE HOUSE IN THE PAST.

AND AMAZING THINGS TO ME, CUT OUT OF OUR BILL, THEY INCLUDED IN THEIR BILL.

>> BACK IN 2021?

>> AND THAT WAS WHAT WE USED FOR THE STARTING PART.

WELL, THE VOTES CHANGED, ELECTIONS HAVE CHANGED AND WE USED THE ANALYSIS IN ALABAMA POLITICS, YOU HAD DEL MARSH UP THERE LEADING THE CHANGE AND ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, EVEN OVER A COUPLE OF YEARS.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON.

WE'LL HAVE FOR FOLLOWUP.

AND AS THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE COMES UP, WE WANT THE SCOOP!

>> WE'LL BE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU.

>> SAFE TRAVELS BACK TO MOBILE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TODD STACY: WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME, DOUG BREWER, WHITFIELD HOSPITAL.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> AND THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES, THE PLAN FOR DEMOPOLIS, I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND IN HEALTHCARE.

>> I'VE BEEN IN HEALTHCARE FOR 34 YEARS, HARD TO BELIEVE!

BUT IT'S BEEN THAT LONG.

I'VE SPENT MOST OF MY CAREER IN LARGE HOSPITALS, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, EL PASO TEXAS, PENNSYLVANIA, AND CAME TO BIRMINGHAM ABOUT SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO, WITH THE TENET ORGANIZATION.

AND THEN I WAS BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO JOIN UAB.

LAST FEW YEARS I'VE BEEN IN DEMOPOLIS AND LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT.

>> ALABAMA HEALTH SCIENCES, WE HAVE THE SCHOOL OF FINE ARTS, MATH AND SCIENCES, ALL OF THESE SPECIALIZED SCHOOLS AND THE NEW PLANNED ONE IS HEALTH AND SCIENCES.

IT'S A GREAT CONCEPT.

TELL US WHERE WHY YOU ARE BEHIND THE CONCEPT AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE STATE.

>> HOPEFULLY IT'S GOING TO BE A GAME CHANGER IN OUR STATE.

OUR STATE HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST INCIDENCE RATES OF COPD, AND HYPER TENSION AND WE RATE HIGH.

ABOUT 60% OF OUR POPULATION ARE IN RURAL AREAS.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT IN RURAL AREAS TO GET HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS THERE.

THIS SCHOOL IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONALS ALL OVER THE STATE.

AND WE'VE PUT TOGETHER A REALLY STRONG COALITION WITH HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE.

AND WE INTEND TO WORK WITH THE HOSPITALS TO BRING STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, NINTH THROUGH 12TH.

AND OUR PLAN IS TO GET THEM IMMERSED IN A HEALTHCARE PROGRAM TO ALLOW THEM TO COME OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, GO BACK ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND PROVIDE CARE ACROSS THE STATE AND BEGIN TO CHANGE THE NUMBERS.

AT THE EASTBOUND OF THE DAY, WE KNOW THAT KIDS IN THE RURAL AREAS, THOSE THAT GROW UP, GO BACK TO RURAL AREAS IF THERE'S A GOOD JOB FOR THEM.

THAT'S THE REAL PLAN.

BUT AGAIN, THIS IS BONING TO BE ABLE TO PRODUCE HEALTHCARE WORKERS ALL OVER THE STATE WITH A REAL FOCUS.

>> AND I IMAGINE AS CEO, WORK FORCE IS A BIG PART OF IT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHEN I HEAR THE FEEDBACK FROM THE LEGISLATURE, THE ONE CRITICISM OR MAYBE QUESTION THAT'S BROUGHT YOU, LOCATION, DEMOPOLIS, IT'S RURAL AND REMOTE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE OTHER SCHOOLS, BIRMINGHAM, HUNTSVILLE, MOBILE.

WHY DEMOPOLIS AND HOW DOES THAT WORK IN TERMS OF RECRUITING STUDENTS TO COME AND STAY THERE.

>> SIX YEARS AGO, I WOULD HAVE ASKED THE SAME QUESTION.

SPENDING MOST OF MY CAREER IN LARGE HOSPITALS.

BUT I'M A UAB EMPLOYEE.

AND ONE OF THE GOALS TO COME IN AND OPERATE THE HOSPITAL WAS TO GO AFTER THE CHRONIC CARE POPULATION, TO DIG IN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

WE'VE BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL IN DOING THAT.

ALONG THE WAY, WHAT WE'VE LEARNED, IT'S A GREAT TRAINING.

IF YOU HAVE A PATHOLOGY, THEN GUESS WHAT?

WE CAN TRAIN PROGRESSIVESSALS IN IT.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE'VE TURNED AS MUCH INTO EDUCATION AS WELL AS HOSPITALS.

AND WE TRAIN WITH OUR SURGEONS, UAB SURGEONS AND PROFESSORS THAT LIVE THERE AND TRAIN THEM.

WE WORK WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, FPOB, TWO FELLOWS LIVE RIGHT ON CAMPUS AND THEY DELIVER ALL OF THE BABIES AND TRAINING THE FBOB THERE.

AND PRE-MED STUDENTS, WE BRING THEM IN, IN THEIR FRESHMAN YEAR, THEY GET TO SPEND TIME IN THE HOSPITAL AND SEE HOW ALL OF THESE THINGS WORK TOGETHER.

WHAT MAKES DEMOPOLIS RIGHT FOR THAT IS THE PATHOLOGY BUT THE FACT THAT WE'RE SMALL ENOUGH TO SEE HOW IT COMES TOGETHER.

THE STUDENTS, THE FPOB, THEY FOLLOW PATIENTS ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE OR, ER, AND UP INTO THE SURGERY.

AND HOME HEALTH, WHATEVER IT MAY BE.

THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO SEE HOW A CONTINUUM SHOULD WORK TO CARE FOR THE PATIENTS.

THAT'S A HARD THING TO DETERMINE DOWN IN DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM, UAB, IT'S 20 CITY BLOCKS AND YOU DON'T SEE HOW THE LAB WORKS, THE ICU, DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING TOGETHER.

YOU CAN FOLLOW PATIENTS AND BEGIN TO LEARN HOW IT WORKS.

>> SO, IF THE GOAL IS TO REALLY IMPROVE RURAL HEALTH, IT MAKES MORE HEALTH FROM A PATHOLOGY SENSE TO BE BASED IN A RURAL AREA RATHER THAN URBAN?

>> WELL, I MENTIONED THAT I WORKED, MY FIRST 28-29 YEARS IN URBAN AREAS.

WHAT I LEARNED WHEN I GOT TO DEMOPOLIS, I'VE LEARNED A WHOLE OTHER SIDE OF HEALTHCARE BECAUSE IT'S SMALL ENOUGH FOR ME TO SEE HOW IT COMES TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH I'M AN ADMINISTRATOR BEEN DOING IT FOR 30 YEARS.

THERE'S A LOT, I CAN'T OVERSTRESS THIS, WE'RE GOING TO TURN OUT GREAT MRI TEXT THAT WILL GO BACK TO UAB AND OR HUNTSVILLE HOSPITAL AND THEY WILL BE WORKING IN SOME OF THE LARGEST HOSPITALS IN THE STATE.

CERTAINLY, WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE RURAL HOSPITALS TO BEGIN TO CHANGE SOME OF THE METRICS THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER >> TODD STACY: WELL, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW, LAST YEAR, IT KIND OF GOT DROPPED OUT OF THE BUDGET AND THE GOVERNOR WAS INSISTENT AND ONE OF HER TOP PRIORITIES, WE'LL BE FOLLOWING THIS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON AND EXPLAINING SOME OF THE SPECIFICS.

WE GET CAUGHT UP IN THE LINE ITEMS AND THE POLICIES, BUT AS HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATOR, WE EXPECT YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

DOUG BREWER, THANKS FOR COMING ON WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON >> TODD STACY: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK!

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE'LL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT FOR OUR "WEEK IN REVIEW," AT 7:30 HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION, FOR "CAPITOL JOURNAL," I'M TODD STACY.