One of Warwick’s state representatives has introduced a bill to help Rhode Island deal with what has been a growing crisis across the country: a shortage of doctors.
Rep. Joe Solomon Jr. has worked on a bill this year to allow doctors...
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One of Warwick’s state representatives has introduced a bill to help Rhode Island deal with what has been a growing crisis across the country: a shortage of doctors.
Rep. Joe Solomon Jr. has worked on a bill this year to allow doctors who have medical degrees and have practiced medicine in other countries to become licensed to practice medicine in Rhode Island more easily.
Solomon said that he had been thinking about introducing the bill since hearing about a similar one in Massachusetts that took effect this year. He called some lawmakers in the Bay State about its impacts and their hopes for it.
Solomon’s bill is closely modeled on the new law in Massachusetts.
“I did some research, and the legislators in Massachusetts [who I talked to] said that it was a great bill,” Solomon said. “I reached out to some other stakeholders as well, and there’s a general consensus that this is needed and something that can work well in Rhode Island… After speaking with some of our hospitals, they’ve also referred to Massachusetts as being a model.”
Nine cosponsors have signed onto the bill, including fellow Warwick Rep. Joe McNamara; all of the bill’s cosponsors are Democrats. Companion legislation, Solomon said, will be introduced in the Senate by Sen. Lori Urso (D-Pawtucket).
In conversations with other state representatives, Solomon said, he has heard an outpouring of support for the bill.
“Everybody who signed the bill had the same concerns – that there’s a shortage of positions out there,” Solomon said. “They’ve been telling me about their issues trying to find a place – it’s the same story in America for so many people. I’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback, and there definitely would have been more than 10 cosponsors if I were to ask all of my colleagues.”
The issue, Solomon said, was largely one of bureaucratic red tape. Those requirements, Solomon said, had been put in place because of fears that doctors trained outside the United States would not receive a comprehensive medical education and proper training.
That, Solomon said, is no longer the case.
“All of these people would be qualified, and the structure of renewals would work,” Solomon said.
To apply for the program should it become law, doctors would have to have a doctorate from a university recognized by the World Health Organization. That license would last for one year, be renewable once, and would allow doctors to practice medicine in underserved communities.
After two years of being in the program, doctors could apply for a full license.
Solomon said the bill defines underserved communities as those that the state’s board of medical licensure has determined do not have enough physicians to cover the needs of the community.
Trying to help solve a national crisis at the local level, Solomon said, was something he was inspired to do. Seeing so many fellow representatives in agreement, he said, gives him confidence that the bill will be passed this session.
“I’m feeling more confident [in its passage] every day,” Solomon said. “Having that consensus and positive feedback – it’s good to see.”
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