Eastern Kentucky University could soon turn out more doctors under a bill that cleared the House floor yesterday.

House Bill 407 would allow EKU to offer a doctorate degrees in osteopathic medicine.

Speaking on the House floor, Speaker Pro Tem David Mead explained why he chose to sponsor the bill.

Those physicians coming out of those programs will be required to serve in rural hospitals during their residencies, giving more physicians to rural Kentucky.

Also, those graduating from medical degrees in 2022 had student loans average averaging just over $200,000, with an expected payoff of more than 20 years.

EKU believes that they can do this much more efficiently and cut that cost way down for those folks who are coming out of those programs.

Those are the two reasons that I truly believe in this this bill helping rural Kentucky and getting physicians out there in a much more efficient manner.

House Bill 407 was approved by a vote of 91 to 0 and is now headed to the Senate for consideration there.