When Rep. Herman Morse (R-Dexter) moved to Dexter in 1976, physicians were an essential part of the southeast Missouri community.
“Dexter, a town of now about 8,000, had at least 11 or 12 doctors that lived in town and practiced in town,” Morse said. “Now they have none.”
According to the Missouri Academy of Family Physicians, the state of Missouri is short almost 700 primary care physicians. Morse hopes to address this ongoing workforce shortage through legislation that would incentivize health care professionals to practice in rural Missouri.
On March 5, the House Healthcare Reform Committee heard Morse’s bill – HB 1925. The legislation would create a grant program, run by the Department of Health and Senior Services, for health care professionals who commit to living and working in rural counties.
The bill gives priority to primary care physicians, dentists, registered nurses, psychiatrists and chiropractors. Grant recipients would be required to practice and reside in a rural county – one with fewer than 35,000 residents – for five years.
Kara Corches, vice president of governmental affairs for the Missouri Chamber, testified in favor of the bill and its effort to improve access to quality health care for all Missourians.
“We know that access to health care is vital for economic development for the state,” Corches said.
Representatives from CoxHealth and Saint Luke’s Health System also voiced their support for the legislation.
For more information, contact Corches at kcorches@mochamber.com or 573-634-3511.
