Health care providers, show support of a bill that would give incentives to primary care physicians
AMARILLO, TEXAS -- At a press conference Tuesday, at Regence Health Network's Amarillo clinic, local health care providers expressed support and promoted H.B. 2154, a bill that would create some incentives for primary care physicians in the state of Texas.
The bill, currently awaiting to be heard at a Senate committee, would increase tax on smoke-less tobacco products to help fund the program. The bill creates incentives, by paying back as much as 160 thousand dollars of tuition or college loans, for a primary care physician that works in a shortage area for 3 years.
Right now more than half of Texas' counties need more primary care physicians. 114 counties do not meet the national standard of one physician for every 3,500 people.
By 2015, Texas will need more than 4,500 additional primary care physicians and other providers to care for the state's underserved population, predicted to be 5.3 million people.
With less than two weeks left in the Legislative session, supporters of the bill are making a final push to get Senate members to support the bill.
The bill will likely see controversy since it will be funded with taxes coming from a tobacco product. Supporters of the bill are looking at severe primary care physician shortages, as their motivation to see the bill get passed.
"I think that this bill will help recruit providers and give people better access to health care," said Cindy Wetzel, Chief Nursing Officer at Regence Health Network.
Unfortunately time is of the essence for the bill to get passed it must go through a committee and get at least 21 votes of support before making it to the Senate floor for a final vote. All of this must happen in less than 2 weeks time.
"Less than 2 weeks, and that's why I just encourage people to call Senator Seliger's office and let them know we do stand behind this," said Wetzel.
